This book opens with an author's note, saying that the Events Of This Book have been planned since the beginning of the series. When I first read that note, I felt the declaration was a little overdramatic.

However, when I actually read the Events Of This Book, it turned out that it was just the right amount of dramatic. The plot twist(s) are well done, surprising, and pack an emotional punch.

This is book 16 of the October Daye series, which follows a Hero navigating the human world and the fairy knowes and everything in between.

I have now read book 3 and this book (#16). And they are linked in a supremely satisfying way. There are plot threads introduced in book 3 that are payed off here, and thematic patterns that continue and deepen. I assume that the rest of the books in the series feel as connected as these two, and conclude that fans of the series will be incredibly happy with this new entry and what it does for this world.

Now, after the "end" of this book -- after everything has been wrapped up -- we get another plot twist (or two?). I feel like this cliffhanger ending robbed the book of the nice closure that it had built, and soured my experience a little.

A video review including this book will premiere on my Youtube channel in the coming weeks, at https://www.youtube.com/c/ChloeFrizzle

Thanks to Netgalley and DAW books for a copy of this book to review. All opinions are my own.