Beattz

This installment in the SoS series was a bit of a miss for me. I still very much enjoyed my time in this world, but less so the characters it focused on, and the hero's flaw that needed to be "worked out". It may very much have been the case because I was doing audio this time, and so I wasn't as locked in to the story, but I don't think that's all of it. But there were also no gnoles in this book, and that was completely unfair.

Tbh, this book just really made me want a book for Wren.

SPOILERS FOR REAL

I enjoyed this book a lot. It had some issues, but with this installment, I fully recognize that the series earned the Hugo Award it just won.

This book came out of the gate swinging. I was worried after the disappointment of book 2, but Rebecca knew what she needed to do, and got right down to business. The writing, as always, was spectacular. Our main characters so intense it was impossible to look away from them. The plot itself was a little shakier. A lot of time was spent in some places that didn't seem as necessary, and rushed in others that I would have liked to linger in. For example, we spent a whole lot of time at the the war college w the spearmaiden sovren who ended up being largely unimportant to the plot, other than giving Lord Balam a place to scheme outside of Tova/Cuecola. And, in my opinion, ofc, not nearly enough time with Serapio when he comes face to face with Pogweh, and learns that Balam is his father. That felt like it could have been a confrontation of the century. Something at least as emotional as what he had w Marcal. And yet, he just walks through the shadow gate.

My only other real complaint was the bit about the prophecy, and it showing up so late in the game. Typically that kind of thing would be used in the beginning, then we get to watch it unfold throughout. It was another example of feeling rushed, I guess. I do understand how/why it wasn't present earlier, but I guess I just wanted a smoother transition maybe? Felt a little clunky, especially when Serapio immediately starts to try and manipulate it assuming he knows what it means. Straight into action with barely any forethought, and that's just not part of the Serapio we've gotten to know, who's been very intentional with his actions up to that point.

That being said. I thought the ending nailed it. Xiala just doing Xiala things, kicking ass and not bothering to take names. Esa getting her comeuppance (although I wish that backstabbing captain had gotten his too, but alas). Coyote finally making their presence known, and for the most part, gods back in the heavens, where they belong. The epilogue did make things a little *too* neat, but, I wanted that so bad, I don't even care.

There's so much more I could get into, but I've said enough already. This series was a banger. Check it out.