I think this is probably my favourite out of the Reforged world (note they’re standalone sequels but names/events are mentioned). Reforged a close second and Reborn, unfortunately, being third. Now, do I understand most of Haddon’s world-building? Very much not, but I love it a lot. Plus I can tell that it’s incredibly well-thought out and built up over the years. So I don’t mind that I’m lost regarding the world-building at all.

Haddon always does such a good job with the characters and it just shone in this book. Saba and Zek were two great characters. I loved seeing them interact with each other and side characters. Even though we didn’t get Zek’s point of view, we were able to understand him through Saba’s eyes. If you’re looking for a slow burn, definitely come here because these two just made me want to push them together. I really liked how Zek’s chronic leg pain and Saba’s trans identity/body dysphoria are sort of linked? Or not really linked but it’s both about not having the ideal body, not being what you see as the “ideal man” in this sense. And how you come to terms with the body you’re given, learn to eventually love your body (which can be seen for just about any body type and experience, in my opinion). I commend Haddon for the chronic pain rep, which I enjoyed and thought was written well!

The plot and the world-building go so hand-in-hand together it’s like they’re stitched together. Both are done so well – which you can find in the previous books too. I love when fantasies are big and well-written and the world-building something so meaty you can easily sink your teeth into. There was a mystery subplot and I’m glad that I didn’t solve the mystery before it was revealed – I was enjoying the book too much to focus on the mystery, I think