I just know the last book in this series will ruin me. This book took me longer to fell fully immersed into the story but once I did I never wanted to leave the world. I felt the book was all over the place until the last 200 pages where I was all in. By then I couldn’t tear myself away from the story. There’s so many plot twists in this book some that left me gasping and some that left me in tears. I literally love all three main characters and from different reasons. They all bring a unique perspective to the story and they’ve all grown on me. Helene, the Blood Shrike, has quickly captured my heart. I love a character who all their life they were taught something was right only to realize that they were taught wrongly. I thought her situation was the most complex and seeing her navigate it was so interesting. Her and Laia’s friendship is going to be so satisfying to see. Now Laia let’s talk about growth. Laia who thought herself to be a coward, not capable, and unable to be who her people needed now be the leader of the Scholars, I couldn’t be more proud. Elias’s story is so bittersweet because his life was saved but at what cost. Elias and Laia will get their happy ending or else.