A fantastic conclusion to the trilogy, the recurring use of the phoenix lore and heavy emphasis on the cyclical nature of life and death make for a gripping read.

Nicki did it again!! This book was everything I was hoping for and so much more. Veronyka is no longer a nameless orphan, she is the daughter of Pheronia Ashfire, the last queen of the Golden Empire and her sister is the Avalkyria Ashfire, the resurrected rebel queen who was responsible for taring the empire apart.
With Tristan being taken hostage by Lord Rolan, Veronyka feels alone, but she is grateful that she has Xephyra her beloved phoenix. Veronyka is determined to do whatever it takes to get Tristin back. Veronyka also is also concern about what her aunt/sister has planned, especially since she has bonded with a legendary creature Strix.

Nicki has the ability to create a world with such vivid detail and rich history. She does it in such a way that readers aren't bored or overwhelmed with the amount of detail she is including in the book. I loved all the characters and enjoyed being able to see the world through different characters' eyes. This book is fast past and has lots of twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat right to the last page.

This series is one of my favourite YA Fantasy series and I can't wait to see what Nicki writes next.

I had this really perfect metaphor carrying through my reviews for both CROWN OF FEATHERS and HEART OF FLAMES, about how the story progresses from slow burning kindling to an inferno…and it feels Right‪™‬ to say that WINGS OF SHADOW fans those flames with a fervent energy before reaching a conclusion destined to go down in a blaze of glory.

This was, truly, everything I could have hoped for. It was simultaneously intimate and epic in scale, from the world-building to the characters—in terms of both individual arcs and where their stories intertwine. Veronyka and Val’s relationship in particular is so complicated, but also masterfully explored and developed. I have grown so fond of this gigantic cast, and I am forever in awe of Nicki’s ability to juggle this many characters, and give them all enough time on the page to develop them so thoroughly (and believably). And the fight scenes! The action! That final climactic battle that completely lived up to my expectations?! We love to see it.

Also: special shoutout to Sev and Kade, two of my favourite characters of all time, whom I adore with literally every fibre of my being. Sev Defence Squad, consider our mission accomplished.

All in all, I don’t really have much more to say than this: I loved it, and I’m so excited for everyone who can read the entire series back-to-back now without having to suffer for a year, waiting.