Forged by Malice

Forged by Malice struggles to match the heights of its predecessors in the series, primarily due to a trio of significant shifts that detract from its overall impact. Firstly, the pacing stumbles where the previous entries deftly danced, leading to a reading experience that can feel both rushed and dragging in turns. Secondly, the change in writing style is jarring; what was once smooth and engaging now feels disjointed, making it harder to immerse oneself in the story. Lastly, the POV switches, previously a strength of the series, are now awkwardly placed, disrupting the narrative flow and often pulling the reader out of the moment. While the book maintains the rich world-building and intriguing characters that fans love, these issues make Forged by Malice a less satisfying installment.