This is 100% a bridging novel lol. Important things happened but on their own it’s just building blocks. Even Malta’s birth falls in that category imo.
Seeing things from Hest’s point of view was interesting. He is the Kyle of this novel. Where you feel fascination when bad things happen to him because you don’t feel all that sorry for him.
I was not expecting a feminist spin to the situation in Chalced. I hope we get to see things from Chassim’s point of view in the next novel.
Poor Selden. Tintaglia definitely is not gonna come to his aid. Will he do a Winston and end up staying in Chalced to support a regime change there? He deserves better than being Tintaglia’s disposable servant.
I had respect for Alise and the way she approached the change in her circumstances regarding Kelsingra. I fear for her future because Hest won’t let her annul their marriage that easily. Sedric too, but at least he isn’t legally bound to Hest.
Carson stays winning as the most level-headed and reasonable character in this particular series.
Finally, the highlight of this book was definitely Erek and Detozi’s romance story. So masterfully built up over the course of the novels, linking in to many of the social aspects relevant to the main story. The only thing I feel iffy about is it seems to double down on the stereotype that the Tatooed are lazy and not to be trusted. I suppose Tats is meant to be the counter to that? I almost forget he’s tattooed, he acts just like a normal boy whereas the books are very quick to point out all the failings of other tattooed characters.
Onto the last book then.
Categories: Book Reviews
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