Jordan

A really enjoyed the emotional intelligence of this author. So many romantasy authors neglect character development for plot and main character actions can sometimes get irritating or seem so unrealistic. While repetitive, I did appreciate the continuous healing journey our main character went through. I appreciate the authors courage to dive into those feelings and topics and show so many insecurities us as ‘normal' people have. It was refreshing to read from someone with high emotional intelligence who could articulate so many deep rooted feelings many of us have.

While the writing style and some of the world building wasn't for me, I would be open to reading the next book in the series!

A Disappointing, Repetitive Entry in the Series
I had high hopes for Book 3, especially after the strong political intrigue in Book 2. Unfortunately, instead of building on that momentum, this installment felt overly long and repetitive. The pacing dragged, and much of the content felt unnecessary—this book could have easily been 300 pages shorter without losing anything of substance.

Diem: A Walking Contradiction (SPOILERS AHEAD)
Diem's character arc was one of the most frustrating aspects of the book. Her decisions often contradicted her stated goals, making it difficult to root for her. She claims to want peace and an end to bloodshed, yet her actions repeatedly escalate conflicts rather than resolve them.

Some of her choices include:

Entering foreign lands uninvited and using magic against their people.

Undermining leaders and issuing ultimatums without earning trust.

Expecting instant loyalty despite doing little to inspire it.

Her shock at facing opposition feels misplaced—of course people unite against her when she repeatedly breaks laws, assassinates leaders, and disrupts their societies. Yet, rather than acknowledging the consequences of her actions, she seems genuinely surprised when things spiral out of control.

This results in a frustrating cycle that plays out over and over again:

Diem makes a reckless decision, often one that could be seen as an act of war.

Her plan backfires spectacularly.

She threatens violence to regain control.

Conflict erupts, and people get hurt or killed.

Diem is distraught over the bloodshed.

Instead of learning from her mistakes, she repeats the cycle.

Adding to the frustration, she hesitates when it comes to making hard but necessary choices. For example, she lets a dangerous enemy go free—twice despite knowing the threat he poses, even after he has nearly killed people she cares about. These moments make it difficult to believe in her as a capable leader or strategist.

Repetitive Plot Points and Low Stakes
Beyond Diem's questionable decision-making, the book's structure makes it feel even more repetitive. The same situations occur multiple times, diminishing their impact:

Diem is captured repeatedly by the same people, making her feel less like a formidable protagonist and more like someone who stumbles into danger.

Characters on the brink of death always manage to survive, removing any real tension.

The same conflicts and obstacles appear multiple times, making it feel like the plot is circling rather than progressing.

Instead of creating suspense, this pattern makes the story feel predictable—when you know a character will escape yet again, it's hard to stay invested in the stakes.

Final Thoughts: A Missed Opportunity
This book had a strong foundation to build on, but instead of evolving, it felt like it was stuck in a repetitive cycle with a protagonist who doesn't grow in meaningful ways. If it had been tighter, better paced, and had a protagonist with a clearer sense of development, it could have been great. Unfortunately, it left me more frustrated than engaged.

A disappointing read that could have been so much more.