Rounding up from a 3.5 just because.

Strangely enough, this was probably the hardest book of the series to get through, which is something you don't really want when wrapping up your epic fantasy series. I don't know if it was because I was going through a bit of a slump or the pacing just wasn't helping.

There were so many extraneous plot threads that really could have been shortened or cast aside to make for a better flow. Though I understood and admired Eliza's part in the story, the human side of it really feels shortchanged by the end of it.

We don't really get a satisfying wrap up on the Earth side of things. Eliza's friends just fall by the wayside as the action kicks up and there is no mention as to the fallout of the end of the invasion or if life goes on. Karou and her friends just leave and then that's it. For an author that excels at writing such expansive and authentic worlds, this oversight feels so gaping.

The Stelians and their whole backstory feel as if it should be gotten a little more attention earlier, as we get a good dose of the history of Eretz, the Fallen, and why there are portals between universes. It might have felt better as a second story clincher, but the last one was heavy enough as it was that I can see why it was pushed here. 

Ziri and Liraz's relationship came out of nowhere? Like they meet ONCE and boom they're instantly into each other. It really comes off as a "everyone has to end the story paired off or else" kind of ending and I don't really think it was necessary, at least for Liraz. I know Ziri had to move on from his crush on Karou but there could have been a better way of depicting that journey than instalove.

I have to say, I will miss Zuzanna, the best best friend character in YA fiction. Little chaos gremlin she is.

As an ending to the series, it's okay. It ends with an enthusiastic "eh" rather than a bang, but I'm glad I read these books and will pass them on to any budding fantasy reader.