A really satisfying conclusion to this series.

I went into this book a bit nervous I wouldn't like it, but it ended up surprising me in more ways than I could imagine.

This is the perfect conglomeration of everything you would want from the Shadow and Bone world. I won't lie, I got emotional so many times reading certain scenes. Like literally almost cried, which is not normal for me.

I loved seeing Alina again. And then Kaz and Jesper and Wylan show up and I was squealing because it's just so great to see everything come together. We even get an Inej appearance at the end there, and seeing two Suli queens greet each other made me almost cry yet again.

There is so much going on in this book, but I loved every aspect of it. I know people had complaints that it felt disjointed reading a book from Nina's perspective and then switching to Nikolai or Zoya. But in this book, with the war looming, it worked really well. Probably more so than in King of Scars.

I also really liked how we finally got to see more of Shu Han. Everything to do with that plot point really intrigued me, and I honestly want to see more.

One thing I enjoyed about this book was that there's no perfect solution to all the problems that Nikolai, Zoya, and Nina face. It feels more realistic than concluding a book with everything nicely tied up, yet it is also frustrating because you're rooting for the characters you love and want everything to be completely over and everyone happy and at peace. I liked how the Shu Han didn't bring Ravka any aid. It sucked, but it goes to show that Nikolai can't get everything he wants or needs. It makes all the characters feel more human and relatable.

Zoya though...ahhhhhh I just love her so much. And she goes through the most character development out of all the characters in this book. While King of Scars was very much focused on Nikolai, this book was all Zoya. (Though I will say, the title choice doesn't seem to fit as well now that I've read this book).

I had issues with the romance that was hinted between Zoya and Nikolai in King of Scars. It felt very one-sided, with Nikolai the only one infatuated. Zoya gave me major aro vibes, but we get to see a whole other side of her in this book, and it kind of made sense. Being betrayed by those who are supposed to love and care for you sucks. It hurts. And it makes sense that she would close herself off to love. We don't just see it in her romantic relationships (or I guess the lack of), but we also see it with her friends. She keeps them at a distance with her anger, spite, and coldness. It's a defence mechanism, but we see that there's a lot more under all that armour. Zoya does care (her garden proves it), her desire for closeness from her friends, how she feels when she is hugged or touched, it's all there and she tries to push it away and deny it to make her stronger and resilient. It was all so relatable in ways I was not expecting. I'm actually crying writing this because I see myself in Zoya now and I understand more about myself than I did going into this book.

It made sense in the end. And it was beautiful. We don't get two couples completely besotted with each other (which would have annoyed me), but we see a beautiful friendship evolve into a relationship that I think works really well.

As for Hanne and Nina. I really loved that end there. I knew what was happening the second it happened and it's just perfection.

David though...that was just plain cruel and I am not over it.

I am excited for where things are headed though. We get a glimpse at a possible new series surrounding the Crows? Maybe? A proper end to the Darkling? I honestly don't know how I feel about him in this book. I definitely think he felt a bit different but that could be the monk he's technically possessing. Genya's observation that the Darkling wants to be remembered makes sense though, but I still want him properly dead.

I was worried I'd regret buying this book lol, but I'm so glad I did.