Okay.... here's the thing - the overall story, the side characters (save one), the dynamics between them, their growth, their relationships, their trials and tribulations- are all fantastic. But I just cannot get over

Spoiler

Ashlinn. I do NOT LIKE HER. I found myself dreading the majority of her scenes. She was so freaking rude to Tric. SHE MURDERED HIM. How are we expected to so easily forgive that? Aye killers one killers all but not killing your friends or friends lovers. And she kept talking about how Tric killed the innocent kid to become a blade like it was some big deal and that somehow cancelled out the fact she killed him but um, SHE WAS A BLADE TOO? So she also killed an innocent kid. I don't know. I hate her and her scenes and the romance between her and Mia was just so unnecessary like it wasn't needed. Mia could have gone on to be badass and save the world with out that whole falling in love with the murderer of her previous lover thing. I already hated love triangles and this love triangle is even worse.

End rant.

So question is what to rate this? If all that was mentioned in my spoiler tag wasn't there, I'd say 4.5 stars easily. Now? 3? 3.5? Ugh it makes me mad that I have to debate this.