I truly have no idea how to review this book. I don’t think that the first ⅔ of this book needed to exist. It was painfully boring to read, and I felt so disconnected from the characters and events occurring. However, finally, in the last 200 pages, the story felt grounded and progressing, the characters finally felt like themselves, and I was hooked. The final act of this book was phenomenal. I couldn’t put it down, and it left me gasping and desperate for book 4 (heartbroken I’ll have to wait 2+ years).

But, if this book wasn’t part of one of my all time favorite series, I likely wouldn’t have pushed myself through the slog of those first 400 pages in the first place. I’m really glad I did push through, and definitely think it is worth it to do so, even if only to be able to continue the series when the final installment releases in (hopefully) 2027.

I’m giving the book an average rating of 4 stars, because I really don’t know. But if I could rate it separately, I’d give the first 400 pages 3 stars, and that feels generous, but the final 200 are an easy 5 stars, and one of the best things that I’ve read all year.