This book, y’all. I have loved this series since its inception and with every sequel the story gets better and better. I will admit, however, that it was not exactly what I had imagined it would be. Truthfully, when announced, I wasn’t sure what Maas had up her sleeve with this release. We’re left at the end of A Court of Wings and Ruin with Rhys being resurrected and the main battle at its end. It was clear, though, that the story was unfinished but I have been let down before where this is concerned (see the Inheritance Cycle, for starters).

Sarah, however, did NOT disappoint. This was a beautiful segue into the impending books *screams internally*. Going into this one, I expected something more from Nesta’s character. After seeing her reaction to Cassian’s near-death experience in ACOWAR, I didn’t exactly expect the two to skip off into the sunset, but I did NOT see this: absolute nothingness, numbness, pure isolation. It makes sense, to a degree, but I didn’t feel her character really went anywhere in this book.

Can we talk about Elaine?! I really love that Maas didn’t force the Elaine-Lucien relationship–it really speaks to the whole “just because we’re mates, doesn’t mean we have to be together” mantra she introduced earlier on. Elaine is dealing with the aftermath in a way that many of us would: by eating our feelings and keeping busy.

I also adore Feyre’s journey in this. She’s been through this epic character transformation throughout the last 3 books and following the actual *death* of her beloved, she has emerged with her fair share of emotional baggage. She’s overwhelmed with her duties as High Lady, she’s dealing with her loss, her sisters are growing apart, and she’s still trying to mend the fractured people around her. Even her ability to create art suffers until she meets The Weaver in Velaris (another beautiful encounter, go read it NOW!).

Sarah, you’re a literary genius and every book you write makes me feel. all. the. feelings.