After the absolute bog of the 3rd book, the 4th delivers on returning to what makes this series so amazing. All of our besties are back and then some, like our new friends Liam and Thayet! More foreign politics and amazing feats of magic, continuing the lore and history of Tortall and other cultures in it.
I did cry, maybe just a bit, it really is a good book and great end to the series.

I do thing Alanna makes some silly decisions in the beginning that put her and her travel companions at risk, but the later half of the book is just so good it outweighs the beginning for me :)