I loved almost everything about this book. The girl boss energy. The training montages. The quests. The sex — oh, the SEX. Nesta and Cassian's spice was on another level compared to the rest of this series. Finally, someone said "let's give the adults adult content" and DELIVERED.
Watching Nesta go from rock bottom to Valkyrie warrior queen? Incredible. The training with Gwyn and Emerie, the sisterhood forming, the Blood Rite — all of it scratched an itch I didn't know I had. Nesta finding her people, finding her power, finding herself? THAT is a redemption arc done right.
My one complaint that knocked this from a 5 to a 4: the third person POV. After three books inside Feyre's head in first person, switching to third felt like being held at arm's length from Nesta. I wanted to be IN her chaos, not watching it from across the room. Frustrating choice.
Now. Feyre's pregnancy. The dangerous birth. The emergency c-section situation. And RHYSAND KEPT IT A SECRET FROM HER? From his own MATE? Sir, you just fought an entire war about not keeping secrets from your partner and then you pull THIS? Fuck all the way off. I will never forgive him for that. The audacity. The HYPOCRISY.
Cassian, my sweet baby — I felt for this man so deeply. Used by Nesta, thrown away, manipulated back in when she felt like it. He deserved better treatment and he took it with a grace I would not have had. Watching him love her through all of it while she treated him like a revolving door? Painful.
Azriel and Gwyn? Sure. I'll allow it. Elain? She could have simply not been in this book and nothing would have changed. Still don't care. Sorry.
And the House of Wind being a sentient magical butler who makes food appear and runs baths and rearranges furniture based on your MOOD? Sign me the absolute fuck up. Forget the mates, forget the drama — give me a house that anticipates my every need and I'm set for life.
🗡️ 4/5 stars. Would have been a 5 if SJM trusted us enough to stay in first person.