The Final Strife

I found this to be a completely engaging listen and I devoured it. I loved so many things about it, especially in the Griots' stories interspersed throughout the book. I really liked three of the four POVs, but one felt very one-dimensional and he contributed to the loss of a star. There were some excellent plot reveals and I was satisfied with the ending. There's quite a bit of nice setups, ethical conundrums and mysteries/questions for the rest of the series. I plan to continue on.

An epic fantasy where the Warden's empire runs on a caste system based on blood color. The Wardens and the rest of the Embers (red-bloods) are at the top. Years ago, a group of rebel Dusters (blue-bloods) entered the Warden's keep and swapped out 12 red-blooded babies with 12 of their own. Some survived and some were killed, what will happen when their paths cross?

I think epic fantasy readers would want to check this out, especially those interested in non-Western inspired fantasy. This could also be a good entry point into epics. There's some complex worldbuilding, maneuvering, and intricacies, but I think it is overall easy to follow. I also think this could have worked as a YA on many levels, but not in a way that put me off, so I think older teens and adults alike would enjoy this. It shows you what it is from the beginning, so if you don't like it from the start I think that's a good signal of if you'll like it or not. Also has a trans POV and I think the world is queernorm, it is at least about gender. There is also a smidge of sapphic romance.

There are a lot of trigger warnings in this book, look them up if you have any. Most overtly to me is a rampant and on-page drug addiction of the main POV, slavery, and many flashbacks or references to child abuse (physical and mental).