Hali

Honestly floored by how good this book is. No notes, loved the pacing and plot (and its twists).

This book is the first and slowest of the trilogy. Which doesnt mean its bad, its more a testament to how unbelievably good the series gets. I cant say a lot of positive things, not for lack of them, but because Im so floored and my brain is so full of lore of this continent and its characters.

There is one gripe Ive had throughout the book: By borrowing from real cultures – namely Ottoman for Solaria – the author builds a world which bears resemblance to ours while not necessarily intending to do so. I am not assuming ANY Badwill at all, and this is a systematic, not individual thing, but seeing the "oriental" empire be represented as scheming, politicking, open to sex and pleasure and so forth evokes orientalist imagery. Its not overtly racist or anything, just made me think.

Initially I wanted to give the book a 4.5 but after pondering on it I rounded it up to a 5. Not a lot to say except: What a great ending to the series. Made me cry at some points. Oh Caris, the woman you are. A lighthearted remark tho: How come only the straight and lesbian couples are doomed? :D Terilyn and Eimarille's deaths also felt a bit sudden, but then again, I dont know how else they wouldve met their ends. And thank you, Lisandro, for providing a lore reason why Caris stayed committed to her dead boyfriend.