— 4.5 stars —

Well, this was a really really great book. I loved it.

This book had me hooked faster from the first pages than the previous ones in the series.
I appreciated seeing how Sankta Alina was treated, how the Apparat got control over her and her team, the extent of a power coming from faith. I think it was really interesting, especially because it also allowed us to see how Alina was recovering from her suicide mission, at the end of Siege and Storm.

The story itself was really captivating and interesting. In my opinion, there wasn't any slow moments, like there might have been in the previous books.
As I read, I kept being surprised, the plot-twists creating a new dynamic every time. The twist that I was not expected AT ALL was Mal. He was the third amplifier? I would never have guessed that, even though it makes sense in a way. Like they kept saying all throughout the three books: « Like calls to like ».

I loved the characters. For me, Alina thrived in this book. Yes, she did annoyed me at times, but I really appreciated seeing her embrace her power, whether it came from the light or the darkness. I felt like she was finally coming to terms with who she is, and that was enjoyable to read.

I also liked Mal a lot more in this one, because finally I felt like he was letting go of the Alina he knew, the orphan sick-looking girl that couldn’t help herself. It’s something I don’t like about characters, when I feel like they don’t acknowledge the strength and the change in the person they use to know. He still ended up with Alina, but I like the slight change I felt in his character, at some point.

I'm sad that Nikolai didn't have his happy-ending, but I'm sure he'll find his happiness somewhere in Ravka. He has to find it. Otherwise, I'm going to be very sad. I love Nikolai. He is such an amazing character. I hoped that Alina would be the one to save him, so I was kinda disappointed by that. I’m worried about him, with this darkness still inside of him. Also: King of Scars! I finally understand that reference and the hype around the upcoming book and I cannot wait! But I need to read Six of Crows and Crooked Kingdom first. I’m slowly getting there!

The entire team was absolutely amazing. Snarky comments, banter, love-hate relationship and overall, an amazing little family, the family Alina never had. Tolya was right, at the end: she is their sister, no matter what. They’ve been threw a lot together: loss, war,... I learned to love Zoya even more. Harshaw and Oncat were great. David and Genya were adorable. And I loved how matter-of-factly David was. Nadia and Tamar were also very cute. This team was quite extraordinary in the fact that you never knew they were going to work together, until they did. And I loved that.

The Darkling, as always, was very interesting. I feel like the end was the right one for him. It makes me sad because all he wanted was to have someone to be like him, and he somehow payed the debts of his grandfather. He did bad things, and we cannot take that away from him. But still, knowing his story, I can't help but feel bad for him.

I also really liked Baghra, and the scenes she had with Alina, but also Nikolai. I would have love to see more of those two together! Their interactions were really funny.

I have still little questions left unanswered, but I guess they'll be answered in other books in the same universe (hopefully).

As for the ending, that was my big meh. I don't know, it felt kinda... cliché? I know there's mentions of war still going on, a whole country to rebuilt and everything, but Alina and Mal, reunited after all, Mal coming back the dead, Alina without her powers,... it was too "happy" somehow (I can't find a better word... sorry).

But despite that tiny little thing, I loved this book.

I had an amazing time reading this series. I am really excited to get my hands on Six of Crows and Crooked Kingdom, to see why so much hype around these books! I cannot wait! (Apparently, it's even better than the Grisha series. And if Nikolai makes an apparition, I'll be even more happy!)