nox

This was a LONG one. I made a joke to another fan of the series that this is the book where almost every established character just kept having problems, which was a funny plot device even if i could tell it was leading up to an important reveal. I can't believe I'm almost to the end of this series.

I really liked the relationship between Aden and Zaira. It's always interesting to see a relationship develop between two people who already have a past together; doubly so since this relationship was between two Arrows and Silence has just fallen. Their relationship was unexpectedly romantic; they were busting out swoon-worthy lines that definitely proved neither of them had ever been fully Silent.

The Trinity Accord has finally formed!! It's so interesting to see the lead-up to the formation after already seeing it in action in the Trinity books and it definitely adds more weight to it. If I reread Trinity now (which I'm planning to do but not anytime soon) I think they'd feel like entirely different books.

About to put this series to bed and I'm sad about it, but I'm having a fantastic time.

C.A.P.E Rating:Characters - 4/5
Atmosphere - 5/5
Plot - 4/5
Enjoyment - 4/5

Oh that cliffhanger is MALICIOUS but at the same time I can tell this story wouldn't have been as good if it ended any other way. The main goal of this book seems to be to highlight that there isn't always a happy ending to be found in stories like this. That sometimes, maybe even most of the time, everything doesn't get wrapped up in a neat little bow and has a satisfying end.

That doesn't mean it wasn't absolutely heartbreaking to read though. This story was highly emotional and even though it never goes into explicit detail it's still a very tough read. I really liked the hybrid storytelling between having half the chapters in Sadie's POV and the other half formatted like transcripts of a podcast. I don't listen to true crime podcasts because in real life I find the whole thing kind of icky but it definitely added a lot of dimension to this book that I don't think it would've had otherwise.

The dialogue felt a bit clunky in Sadie's chapters sometimes because the story was in such a serious tone that I could tell the author didn't want to divert from that even during conversations, but sometimes that left me thinking to myself “No one actually talks like that.”

Other than that, though, this was a very gripping read.

This was the lightest on plot out of any of the books so far, but I don't think it was detrimental. We got a real strong focus on the couple and with more page time dedicated to them I think we really got to put the work in to developing them and their relationship, which was nice to see. And it also didn't feel insta-love because not only have they known each other for their entire lives but Drew's feelings are established before the book starts, so it feels like we've already had some off-screen development, offsetting any of it feeling rushed over the short amount of time the book takes place.

I liked this one. The couple was good and we got a lot of conversations about boundaries and respect which I really appreciated, but honestly pretty much everything else happening in the plot was more interesting than the main couple for this one, no offence to them. Everything happening with the Council, Sascha and Lucas, Sienna and Hawke, I was more invested in those plot threads than I was with the romance.

Still, I have nothing to complain about. I'm super excited for the next one!

C.A.P.E Rating:Characters - 4/5Atmosphere - 5/5 Plot - 4/5Enjoyment - 4/5

Oh Fitz. Oh my sweet baby Fitz. This book made me want to CRY. The way everyone in his life, even the people who love, see him as a weapon first and a person second. The way he's always expected to put everyone above himself and seen as selfish and immature if he doesn't. The way he can never have anything to call his own, and when he finally does have something it's the one thing that everyone would/does hate him for, the thing that ends up killing him.

There's a moment where Chade says “I don't think you will ever completely trust anyone. Or believe that someone cares about you.” and my only response was: why would he? When has anyone ever showed that they loved him unconditionally? When has anyone ever loved him without using him first?

This book coincided with a bit of a reading slump for me so it took a while to get through but I just couldn't abandon this story. My heart absolutely broke for Fitz for almost every single page. He tries so hard to do the right thing and to be what everyone needs and he almost always fails. And he's only just a boy.

Every bit of it hits just as hard on a reread. Maybe even harder.

Oh I can't believe it's over. I went on such a journey with these books and this last book was just the perfect ending for me. I love that Singh decided to not bring in a new couple for this one and just focus on all the characters we've met so far over the series and take a look at how they've all become intertwined over the course of all the books. I loved having the chance to check in with everyone and see them all interact in the end.

I think this book did a really good job in setting the stage for Trinity too, which I have a renewed excitement for with the next book coming out in July. I can't wait to see cameos in the newer series of all the characters and couples I now have background knowledge for. It'll definitely make rereading any of the Trinity books, which I'll probably end up doing for comfort or to break me out of a slump, a totally different experience now that I know everything I need to know about this world and all the major players.

It's going to be so weird to move on from this book and have to read outside of this universe. I've been reading almost purely Psy-Changeling books for about 3 months now. I don't know how I'm going to move on, but this was such an incredible ride and I can't wait to continue with Atonement Sky!

C.A.P.E Rating:Characters - 5/5
Atmosphere - 5/5Plot - 4/5
Enjoyment - 4/5