Buddy read with Deborah from Hills of Books.

I was so excited about finishing up this series, but also worried because I didn't realise how much I'd fall in love with the characters and the world.
I feel like each book, with the first trilogy and then this trilogy, has added a lot of depth to the landscaping and character arcs and I've felt fully immersed for the whole journey.

I love how much Sonea is respected in this book and how much she doesn't realise it. Its like she's stuck in this headspace of how she used to be perceived (as a novice of low standing, that broke the Guild laws), but she's grown so much since then and the people around her have changed their views. It's sad that she doesn't see her worth though. I feel like it's an internalised trauma after all she had endured.

Although I enjoyed this, I feel like we needed some action earlier on, as up until half way through there was not a lot of major conflict.
To completely oppose that, chapter 20 seemed to randomly jump from a normal gossipy chat about possible relationships (which I'm happy I saw brewing early on), to a sudden brewing battle of full on civil war!! I flipped back to see if I missed an obvious turning point, but came up short. The section just felt so jarring and sudden. It felt like a bit of bad editing in the way that the transition of different scenes were not smooth and seamless at all and just left me feeling like I missed a major connection to the jump.

There was one loss that hit me! I was really upset and shocked as its a character that, I feel, has had a significant role since very early on, but then I look back and I am a little disappointed that this was the only truly climactic twist to happen so far in to the story. Even the finale battle didn't have me as hooked as others in this series and the Age of Five trilogy. It just seems to have lost some of its focus.

I've got to say, this was a little underwhelming for a finale of a rather epic set of trilogies, but I think it just feels that way because it is then end and the books have had me hooked and ramping up a little to this point. I would have enjoyed it more, had it not been the last book, perhaps, as building up to the climax, particularly in regards to the conflict/battle scenes, it left me feeling disappointed as it felt lacking. Despite that being said, this was still very enjoyable and I will miss spending time with these characters and being in this wonderfully crafted world.

Pick it up, give it a go and enjoy! >(^_^)<
Gén