This last book in the Tensorate series really encapsulates all the different themes we find throughout the series; the bounds of fate and trying to break them, the state and the way it manipulates its people, and love and betrayal and loss and how that changes you. I loved the way it revisted all those themes. 
I also really liked the idea of having a villain origin story narrated by someone who is not the antagonist, rather, someone close to them that was betrayed by them. It was a nice change from a lot of origin stories we see that almost shed the antagonist and the awful things they do in a 'devil's advocate' sort of light. 
However, I can't help but feel a little disappointed at all the loose plot ends left behind. It makes me wonder if the author maybe has an inkling of continuing the series? I was felt feeling pretty underwhelmed by this despite liking the writing and the themes.