Stars: 4 out of 5
Sagrad Nupakana is no more, and I am so happy about it! He was becoming a bit of a caricature villain who had overstayed his welcome. I mean, he is really way overboard in this book as well, so much so that I had trouble taking him seriously as a threat, but at least we are rid of him now (and no sudden comebacks, pretty please).
The book itself is very fast-paced, with our band of partisans going from one fight to the next oh-shit moment with barely a chance to breathe and take stock. It’s a breakneck race to a rather explosive ending.
Oddly enough, I think that the side characters shine more in this book than Raine and company. Talon and Priaras get their moment in the spotlight (with Talon taking things to the extreme, as usual). I also loved Tam’s family, and his old teacher is a hoot. Talk about breaking a level 13 containment spell by just… passing gas in the vicinity of the casters.
My biggest complaint here is that Raine took more of a passenger role in this story than being the driver of events. Things happen to her instead of her making them happen. Granted, she finally took advantage of the opportunity presented to her and rose to the occasion in the end.
All in all, I am happy with how this particular story arc was concluded and am looking forward to seeing where the author takes these characters next.