It's hard to write a review when all I want is to shout how amazing this series is and what are you waiting for if you still haven't read it?

Each book in The Tarot Sequence is better than the last and that's to say something given that it started out really great. It keeps exceeding all of my expectations.

While The Hourglass Throne continues to have a quippy, fast and action-filled plot, I also feel it's much more serious, and I think the tone follows Rune's character development quite nicely. I love how we can follow his progress organically, and that there are enough domestic scenes in the book to explore his different relationships with others but also to illustrate the love and care they all have for each other. This series is all about the characters, at least for me, so it's important to have enough time with them, and not just when they're working on a case. But to see simple moments of their everyday lives, their dynamics and silly moments, all help establish this found family unit as something real. And it helps create a bond with the reader. I care for all the characters even ones I didn't expect to care much about. In the end, this is a series about lost and hurt people who are working hard on rebuilding their lives and finding a new family and place in the world. Who are healing through love and support. And that's what makes these books very important.

The Hourglass Throne also continues to have a great balance between hard emotional moments, truly horrific ones, and humor. I must admit, I cried at some parts, just like I laughed out loud at the other moments. Reading this series is truly an emotional rollercoaster. But I love it and I can't wait for the other books and I can't wait to see what will happen next.

And as someone who reads this as an audiobook, I need to mention that Josh Hurley continues to make a god-level performance. How is it possible for him to do what he does with his voice? It's like magic. I hope he'll continue to narrate the books.

Also, in the end, I just want to mention something spoilery:

the proposal was done threefold. The question was asked three times. I absolutely adore this detail. I also can't believe Brand's proposal managed to be more romantic than Rune's.