I actually don't know how I'm going to recover from this series. I fell down a rabbit hole with this one and truly don't want to come out.

We get more of allll my favorite things in book 3 - more of Em and Creon's addictively alluring relationship, more Underground, more rebellion and political intrigue, more revelations about this world and its crazy deep history. But there's also a ton of new and mind blowing developments that had me scrambling for the next book and SO relieved I didn't have to wait.

The emotional difficulties woven into the characters' struggles are so real, so relatable, so raw. There are some really powerful messages about withstanding generational trauma and battling mental health issues. Emelin and Creon's (and Lyn. and Tared. and Naxi. and EVERYONE) journey in this book is phenomenal. Watching them navigate their past wounds, their impossible circumstances, and the war brewing around them alongside trying to protect their new and fragile romance was gut-wrenchingly beautiful and I will never stop rooting for this little found family

And while the romance is a huge pull for me, the adventure aspect of this book had me absolutely feral as well. Ancient ruins, deadly creatures, and a plague-ridden continent create an atmosphere dripping with danger and intrigue but also bursting with whimsy and magic. There's so much more to this world than we already know, and every time more is revealed I just fall more in love. The world building in this series is truly so captivating and immersive.

I can't say enough good things about this series and this book in particular, I think this was my favorite of the whole series!