Maybe it’s because I’m damaged and broken and I know what this is like, but Hava’s voice resonated. She is unique and vulnerable, and remains full of love and hope despite the darkness at her core. Speaking defensively from deep trauma, her ugly anger explodes and her need for retaliation often gets in the way—but she is still an achingly loveable character. Bursting awkward honesty and fighting her own terrors, Hava grows to maturity and gains inner peace as she makes steps towards forgiveness.

It took me by surprise how much I sunk (no pun intended) right into this story and loved it through and through—I couldn’t put it down. The three parts of the story are all so different, yet Hava’s internal conflict, healing, and hope draw the three very unique settings together as one story. A proper adventure from start to finish.

I loved Fire and Bitterblue (who is also in this story, and as lovely as ever; Katsa and Po make an appearance also, as does Briggan), but this novel is easily my favourite of the series. It ties the other four novels together with references and storylines to each, and unlike in the case of Fire, which could be read as a stand-alone, this one is better read after at least reading Bitterblue and Winterkeep.

I’m wondering if we might get Keira’s story next…? Would love to hear that one…