Premise: The conclusion to the mesmerizing story that began with An Ember in the Ashes is finally here. The Soul Catcher, the Blood Shrike, and Laia of Serra’s intertwined fates come to fruition as armies converge and ancient pains cost the lives of thousands across the Empire.

Review: I am sitting here wrapping my mind over this entire series. I remember years ago borrowing the first two books from the library and just instantly connecting with all three main characters. Laia, the Scholar girl who loves her family, but suffers through so much tragedy to hold on to them as much as she can. Elias, the warrior trained to head a powerful family and lead a life of violence for the Empire, but wanting nothing more than to walk away from all of it. And Helene, Elias’s right hand who has had to prove every day of her life that she belongs to a warrior class that beats her down every chance it gets. I followed their journeys across the expanse of the Empire as they are chased or are doing the chasing, bowing to the whims of mad rulers, horrifically savage military leaders, dealing with the rise of the powerful and ancient jinn, and always running into the prophecies of the Augurs. I experienced their heartache, their suffering, their losses, their fleeting moments of joy, and felt every ache as they were broken down, then built back up.

This final book was worth it. It was worth all of it. These characters, beautiful and broken and redemptive, they are worth it. What I was most impressed by was the treatment of villainy as more than just good vs. evil, the observations about war, the portrayal of the frailty and resilience of hope, and lastly, the triumph of forgiveness and love. This story will sit with me for a very long time and I am all the better for it.

6*/5

Top Read of 2020

6/5

Romance: Yes, moderately spicy

Violence: Moderate, depictions of battle

Tropes: love conquers all, heroes sacrificing life for the greater good, villain backstory makes them relatable

Trigger Warnings: battle violence