SPOILERY Review

The Characters:

I loved Gemma’s character from the very first pages. She’s a very feisty, cunning, courageous, girl who is tough and loving but also struggles with selflessness and ADORES beautiful dresses. I loved the representation for her panic attacks.

Talon was so deeply caring and unbelievably sweet but the whole time there was just SOMETHING about him that made you wonder what he was hiding. I had guessed that particular plot twist but thats mainly because I love a secretly “evil” love interest. However, its very clear that Talon isn’t evil at all and he truly loves Gemma. I adore how his power helped her with her pain. They are so unbelievably cute together.

In regards to the side characters, I loved them all! The sisters were so complex and interesting. None of the characters got blurred together. Claire truly took time in crafting them all into their own unique person.

Alastrina is a very interesting character as well. I love the contrast of her obvious disdain to the small moment of her pulling Gemma to safety towards the end. Claire is incredible at crafting such complex characters. I love how Ryder helps Gemma with her panic. I love the Villa for becoming so deeply devoted to her. Lulath is my favorite of them all but I absolutely love Nesset and Phaidra. Also Queen Yvaine is so mysterious and I am beyond interested in her character.


The World:

Okay, this world is beautiful and MASSIVE! There are so many parts to it and so many unanswered questions still. I am so excited to learn more about it and its magic. God only knows how many creatures live in this world and the Olden country! I’m ready to see them all!

The Writing:

The writing was, as always, perfect. Claire is one of those authors that you read and immediately know she’s the Chosen One. I’ve read most of her books and I have to say, I have never found an issue with her authorial voice or writing style. Her descriptions are so specific and beautiful. Her dialogue is always interesting, snappy, and true to the characters. And she creates amazing tense, terrifying, and epic fight scenes!

The way Claire describes the faerie and their magic is so beautiful and perfectly whimsical. She really captured the fae essence. I love how it is so individual to the other types of magic and parts of the world that they all stand out on their own.

Thought Dump:

It is so clear that Ryder LOVES Farrin and I have been dying to know if he was the boy who saved her from the fire all those years ago! I am VERY exciting for the enemies-to-lovers action between Farrin and Ryder, like, yes please!

Not the way Phaidra’s death had me tearing up. We barely knew the Villa and yet I love Lulath, Phaidra, and Nesset with my whole heart. “Free.”

What WAS that climax? It was so epic! The way Claire describes fight scenes, the way she described the power battle between Gemma, Kilraith and Talon?! And my goodness I was a wreck when Farrin and Mara joined AND ESPECIALLY when the Basks were there to help!! Oh my what an amazing climax. Claire is truly so spectacularly talented. I can’t even describe how amazing this entire climax was.

I am a sucker for a love interest being under control by an evil being who then attacks the MC. Don’t ask me why but its my favorite thing ever and the way Claire did that with Talon was so unique and horrifying but also so cool at the same time. I loved it so much.

That ending was so beyond sweet. I loved Gemma and Talon’s last night together and the sheer beauty of that last page, wow.

“Take care of her for me. Love her as she deserves.”

Overall:

Overall, I have so many thoughts and feelings that I could never possibly express. This book was truly an emotional rollercoaster. I was laughing, raging, and crying. Furyborn is probably my favorite trilogy ever and so I was nervous about this book, but it is right up there with Furyborn. I am so excited to see the direction she takes with book two and I absolutely need the sequel ASAP! I don’t ever want to leave these characters or this world!

I highly recommend this for anyone who loves a good mash up of Bridgerton and ACOTAR with writing that is ten times superior to both. The magic, the world, the characters, the writing, the rep, were all on point!