Ok, this may be an unpopular opinion, but I am a Chaol Westfall girly and I loved this for him. I loved the development of his character and the fruition of SJMs story telling coming to light. Also, I just appreciate how powerful it is to address such taboo subjects like pride and disability and the fracturing that comes with stereotyping and assuming the inability of someone who possess different abilities than you.

I think that the twist made me audibly gasp, as SJM makes me do often and that the tenderness of Chaol and Yrene, Sartaq and Nesryn, Hasar and Renia, and even Yeran and Borte… it’s just all so tender and real and gentle. Yrene is JUST. THAT. GIRL. and a powerhouse at that. Perrrrr. 

Anyways, Chaol tearing up at the end with the note made me tear up and then I literally just couldn’t. He will always love Cealana, and possess deep care and respect for Aelin, and that just felt comforting. For him to recall all that she endured then, but still carried the humility and wholesomeness of her past self within her masked self. That’s beautiful. And I cry. I love. I live. 

Now ready for this last book to break me in half.