Now that I'm finally at the end of the series, I can say that it's one of the most nuanced tales of self-acceptance and unlearning past traumas that I've ever read. Yes, it's in a romantic fantasy setting, and the darkness of the experiences touched upon are dark (and difficult to get through at times), but it all still rings true, and the characters really seem to find their respective peace by acknowledging the raw pain they've been dealt and accepting that they never deserved it, allowing them to move forward. 
This book by far has the bulk of the action in the entire series, which feels like one grand epic (or two trilogies). So there's a lot to take in, and a lot to contemplate. I love how Raven Kennedy has laid the foundation of Auren's transformation to ripple out and effectively allow others to confront and overcome/accept their own trauma. Seeing the character arcs, even of those we meet in the first book and thoroughly loathe (

Malina, I'm looking at you (and crying because you finally were the queen your people needed, that your parents raised you to be

) conclude is bittersweet. But it's a testament to Kennedy's writing that we as an audience can make that journey with those characters. I know there's still so much in the worlds we never get to (especially Lu. I so desperately wish we knew more about her story), and I'd love to hear more about what happens to Orea and Annwyn in the future, but I'm still content with the story we were gifted. 

P.S.

Os and Rissa forever

. Also

Malina and Dimmik

. They're both the best couples and I can't differentiate between which of them I love more. Though the latter definitely has the best love story. I will die on this hill.
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️