I'm glad I didn't read this one when I was younger. I had originally rage-quit the series after the TV show came out and "babied" it, making a lot impactful moments more tame etc. As much as I had loved the first two books, I couldn't bring myself to be caught buying this knowing more people would see the series over reading the books. This is not the end of the series by a long shot. There is a not in the back saying it is continuing other another author. I have no intention of continuing it, since I don't think it will live up to the president set by Hale. 

I went into this excited. I expected it to be the end of the series, which it is not, and happy that we were getting a book about Maddy. As the middle book in a series, writing about a side character works well. But not for an end which this is not, despite how much I wish it was. None of the interesting story bits were rapped up. The ending was a bit contrived however, I liked that it played into the Peter Pan thing, clapping for the fairies etc. It's fun even if it's not the best writing. And for a middle grade audience fun is good.

My main issue is the mismatch between expectations. In my heart this is the end of the series since its the end of what Hale wrote. But it functionality is not the end, and there are more books. 

I will read her other 2 companions and leave it at that. As much as I want to know what happens between the rebels and Royals I don't trust anyone outside Hale to write these books after the TV series.