I don't think a book has ever made me cry as much as this one did. It was a stunning, epic, and heartbreaking conclusion to the trilogy, and the only thing protecting me from heartbreak is the knowledge that the series isn't over yet. Still, I'm going to miss Fitz, Beloved, Chade, Dutiful and the vibrant characters of Buckkeep during my journey into the Rainwild Chronicles.
Robin Hobb has such a special skill for atmosphere in her writing. A quiet evening on my couch became a foreboding trek through icy darkness, and so many scenes were genuinely unsettling! I loved the arctic setting of Aslevjal and the intricacy of the worldbuilding in addition to the plot. That one chapter (iykyk) was so gutting - it was a struggle to keep reading because the tears just wouldn't stop. How Robin Hobb is able to create such wonderful characters and then mercilessly torture them (and the readers) is baffling and awe-inspiring. As happy as I was for Fitz to finally tie up his loose ends and find happiness with Molly, I just couldn't be convinced by their romance. The fact that Fitz and the Fool were literally sharing souls a few chapters before took some of the punch out of Fitz and Molly's reunion. Still, it was heartwarming to see Fitz finally find the love and family that he's been searching for his entire life. This trilogy was genuinely life-changing and one I will be thinking about for a very long time. This book in particular is easily my favorite so far, and I can't wait to see what happens next!