And Maas continues the trend of getting better and better as she goes. The further development of Aelin and Rowan's relationship (which, I maintain, I still LOVE that it started as such as strong bond of friendship and reliance outside of romance and it's just distance that brought out the rest). I also enjoyed Aelin and Aedion and their re-finding each other, plus the complications that came with Rowan having found her, helped her, gotten so close, and taken the blood oath first. The understanding the Aedion shows is really indicative of his devotion to Aelin - her happiness and safety is his highest priority and he fights against his pride to recognize how much of that Rowan provides. Relatedly, the relationship between Aedion and Rowan was wonderfully drawn out. Yet again, the new characters were great - Lysandra is a new favorite of mine - what a fighter, in all sense of the word. And Nysren is great for the role she plays with Chaol (I am glad he and Aelin have moved on - the reality of your "first love" not being what you need as you grow/mature is awesome, and hard to do when you have fans that fell in love with what was and don't want to move on. Plus, their goals and backgrounds and feelings are too different and similar to be good long term - it's why they are so explosive with each other and at each other's throats all the time.) and because I think another character was needed to flesh out the group. Dorian's story remains, for me, the saddest - but it's great to see him freed and rising to the occasion after everything he went through. Plus, I am super excited to see where his connection with Manon goes. Manon is amazing in her own right, and I like how much more we got to learn about Asterin and Sorrel this time as well. And the introduction of Elide, knowing now the story of her mother and the sacrifice she made for Aelin - I can't wait to see what role she plays in the future either, because she has a ton of potential. Arobynn - kind of a let down, honestly. Like, he was big and bad and manipulative, but the fact that Lysandra and Aelin were able to pull off their plan...I'm just meh on him. I'm glad he was brought back so that that story line could be ended - so Aelin could get over the abusive father figure thing and his influence could officially be removed from everything. And finally, Kaltain. What a heartbreaking story of abuse and going out on your own terms. She is likely one of the most unsung heroes in any book I've ever read. I hope we get to see her honored the way she deserves to be. For the bigger story - the revelation of Perrington hosting Erawen already (and the king's claims that all he was doing was trying to protect his family and, all those years ago, trying to get Aelin to end him then) was a major bombshell. What an incredible directional change that was totally unexpected - kudos. Between that and the unknowns of Lorcan/Maeve and what that actual situation is, plus the added complication of Gavriel being Aedion's father...there is promise of so much more to come and I am loving it.