First off, go read the ACOTAR and ToG series before you read CC. I’m 100% recommending these series if you’re really into political epic fantasies with romance. I really friggin love these books despite how long they are (and despite Chaol’s ToG book). This won’t be a genuine review just comments about what happened and my excitement. All you need to know is that yes it’s a lot, but it’s so good if this genre is your thing. 

Okay. There’s gonna be major spoilers for the ToG, CC, and ACOTAR series in this review so brace yourself. 

First thing’s first, in the next book Ruhn, Hunt, and Baxion better be fine and they better be fine within the first third of the book. If they don’t get rescued until 60%+ way through the book, I will lose it. 

I have to say ever since I read that Aelin fell through a world that I suspected was Velaris and a Fae male fitting Rhys’ description helped her, I have been PRAYING this day would come and SJM wasn’t just dicking around with random Easter eggs. 

I started my SJM journey with the ACOTAR series in summer of 2021 with a quick follow up of the ToG series. I was trying to wait to start CC but alas, I caved April 2022 and now I’ll have to wait a year before I know the fates of Bryce, Hunt, Ruhn, Baxion, Lidia, Hypaxia, Tharion, Ithan, Flynn, and Declan. And yes. I love each and every one of these characters and they all better survive the series. 

This book was a whole ride and a half. Just twists and turns everywhere. I was so stressed, but couldn’t stop reading until I knew things calmed down. I have to say that this world is my least favorite. At least in ToG it was clear the King was evil and everyone had shit lives in his kingdom. But in CC’s world? There’s 6 tyrants that rule the WORLD (after destroying many others) and give the people the illusion of happy lives. 

I felt myself trusting Baxion from the start. I keep hating the Danika surprises mostly because I know it hurts Bryce. It reminds me of a story or show/movie I’ve seen before. Dead best friend with secrets. It always hurts and eventually the surprises get annoying so I hope there’s no more magic bombs dropped in the coming book(s). 
I also immediately called Daybright’s identity and I REALLY ship her and Ruhn so friggin hard! I’m also glad Bryce and Hunt finally got it on and I appreciate their relationship. I love the mer that live on the city ship and they’re sneakiness. Ithan, Declan, and Flynn have definitely grown on me and they remind me so much of brothers. 
I can’t wait to see what this Fenyr Alpha will be like. We need more powerful females in this friend group! I hope Ithan gets his own pack and Sabine gets her due. I can’t say I’m happy with Hypaxia and her choice of lover. I don’t trust that Archangel and Hypaxia definitely deserves better. Also, will Ari return? I love a dragon. I hope Tharion finds a way out of the Viper Queen’s grasp. 
I hated that Sophie was actually dead and Cormac died. We need powerful beings people and I JUST started to warm up to Cormac. 

I’m not a huge fan that Bryce requires another’s powers to jumpstart hers. I want my all-power Fae badass. Also, I don’t remember there being gateways in Velaris or anywhere there so how did Bryce land there? I know there are gates throughout Aelin’s world on each continent, so that won’t be an issue. 

Hunt getting the halo again GUTTED ME. As soon as I realized it was Azriel, I SCREAMED. I nearly fainted when Rhys introduced himself. 

I have no idea what SJM has in store for the ACOTAR series after this. Will this be just a mid-series plot device, or will it be the end all for both ACOTAR and CC? It sucks that the wait is so long! But all I have to say is Aelin better be in the books. I need her and Bryce to be friends immediately. They are two of my all time favorite literary characters and I love them so much. Hate the next book won’t be out until 2023/24! WRITE FASTER SJM!!