3.5 stars. Oh boy. I am reminded why I love this series. This book I wasn't sure about and even while reading there were parts where I wondered why do we care. Maas built another world almost here. The southern continent is so different I can see why this book turned out so long. If this had been a separate yet related series I would have enjoyed it more. But being on tenderhooks to find out what happened with Aelin and whether or not they join the fight made a lot of the world building unbearable. I'm happy for Nesryn and Chaol and I liked all the other characters but it almost wasn't worth it for the little tidbits of info we got that can help in the war. Maybe I'll appreciate this book more once I read the last one.