I finally got round to reading it!

Oh how daunting this book was. Especially when in April, all I seemed to be in the mood for was quick reads. This one sure as hell wasn’t a quick read, zeesh.

Let’s dive right in!

(found on Goodreads)

THE BALANCE OF POWER HAS FINALLY TIPPED…
The precarious equilibrium among four Londons has reached its breaking point. Once brimming with the red vivacity of magic, darkness casts a shadow over the Maresh Empire, leaving a space for another London to rise.

WHO WILL CRUMBLE?
Kell – once assumed to be the last surviving Antari – begins to waver under the pressure of competing loyalties. And in the wake of tragedy, can Arnes survive?

WHO WILL RISE?
Lila Bard, once a commonplace – but never common – thief, has survived and flourished through a series of magical trials. But now she must learn to control the magic, before it bleeds her dry. Meanwhile, the disgraced Captain Alucard Emery of the Night Spire collects his crew, attempting a race against time to acquire the impossible.

WHO WILL TAKE CONTROL?
And an ancient enemy returns to claim a crown while a fallen hero tries to save a world in decay.

What do you do with yourself when you finish one of your favourite series? That’s what I’d like to know around about now.

Let’s be real, this review is probably going to suck in every way possible, because I’m so bloomin’ awful at writing reviews for books that are later on in a series. I mean, I’ve already said it all already haven’t I, for the previous books?

I’ve already said how much I love the world.

I’ve already said how the characters are some of my ultimate favourites and a delight to read about.

I’ve already said how I love the plot. How the villain of the story feels so different to other books.

So what else is there I can say?

I can rave about the characters some more. Every book they seem to grow, as does my love for them. I’m honestly so sad we won’t get more about them. Lila Bard is just everything I want/need to be in life. She has so much courage, I could really do with that in everyday life. And everyone else…gahh I don’t understand how I can love so many characters when they all have such differing personalities. But I do.

A thing to note too: I’ve noticed that some people on Goodreads has put this book in the “romance” genre. And yes, there’s romance. But I love it, because it’s so…subtle? Like, it’s there, but it doesn’t overshadow anything else in the story. It just…happens alongside. A lot of the time, it becomes the main driving force of a book, but this just shows how it can all work together.

I just…honestly don’t know what more to say. You’re thrown into action, you go through the story. It’s well paced. I was hooked throughout, despite falling into a mini reading slump (that had nothing to do with the book by the way).

I did find the ending action-y part a teeny tiny bit underwhelming, just because I felt it was over so quickly. A 600+ page book, and the ending was just sort of done. But I also don’t like it when action scenes are drawn out, so it’s probably a good thing. Which is confusing. But the overall ending I was really satisfied with – kind of predictable, but that may just be because it’s exactly what I wanted to happen. Which is always nice when you get it.

Could that paragraph have had any more contradictions?

Anywho. I loved this book, as I fully expected. What more can I say?

Rated 4/5 stars!

Share your thoughts!

Have you read this book? What did you think?

Or have you read the previous books?

If not, is this series on your TBR?

Have you read any of V.E. Schwab’s other books?

Let me know in the comments!

Until next time…

Come and visit me!