A hot dog is a perfect meal. Apart from the two leads being the most wonderful foils and magnetic forces of growth for each other, there is absolutely nutty attention to detail from Sullivan when it comes to tying all 3 of this world's series together. One cheeky and unnamed character tie-in here left me giddy and feeling genuinely rewarded for paying attention. There are empty spaces left between the Age series, this series (Riyria Chronicles), and the "core" Riryia Revelations and Sullivan treats those spaces as garden plots. All this worldbuilding, and it never feels crowded, muddled, or overbearing. These books always feel good to read, like a familiar hug, like seeing the last jigsaw puzzle piece snap into place. These books do frequently approach feeling like pastiche, "recycled" comfort fantasy media, but there is such a firm control and immense love on display here that's undeniable and unique. I think about Royce Melborn and Hadrian Blackwater more than some of my real friends.