Wait wait wait. Is Rin the child of Jiang and Hanelai??? I remember her being compared to Hanelai before, and Jiang and Hanelai were lovers. Could it be those are her true parents???

This is a unique world and magic system. I’m really enjoying this, though this world gives me the creeps with its Handmaids Tale-like religious system. Deka has a need to conform that stems from a lifetime of indoctrination, but she seems to be the most unique of them all, which horrifies her. She wants love and belonging, something she’s never fully experienced except perhaps with her mother. I’m interested in learning more about her mother, a possible Shadow. I like the way Deka’s bonding with the other girls. I’m interested to see how things develop with Keita and the other uruni. There seems to be animosity there.

This is really good.

That was a lot.

I never fully got over Izabel. That one hurt. The story was propelled along from there. I wonder about Nevah and Tomison. They disappeared from the story. Does Tomison still blame Meryn, or has he calmed down in his grief? He apparently wasn’t with Killian or with Egith. I think Nevah was keeping an eye on him in the Bonded quarters, but that’s all we know. Looking forward to a reunion.

Jonah’s death was anticlimactic. Did he even die? She didn’t specifically mention seeing him fall into the chasm. It would really suck if he’s still floating around somewhere. Probably ready to help Nocturn next.

I like Lucien and Venna together I think. I at least see them being friendly. What happens now, though, because the tears have been removed from his crown and necklace? Meryn failed to protect what was precious to him. What will that mean for his treatment of Venna? He also has Saela at his mercy too. How will this play out?

Killian’s death was satisfying, but did it seem a little too easy? He had all the Tears but didn’t use them against her except for the ring that she cut off of him. He thought he could talk his way out of it I guess. He was wrong.

There’s just so much to discuss that happened in this book can’t cover it all here, so I’ll pause. But if any of you want to bring something else up to discuss, feel free!

Thoughts on Ruin Bound I’m worried for Meryn and Stark, but believe that all will work out for them. Who will get killed off in this next battle, though? They need to find Lumina and Astreon to combat Nocturn I think. The way Nocturn treated Lumina in the visions reminded me of how Killian treated Meryn. I wonder if Astreon was Stark’s counterpart in that triangle? We didn’t learn anything really about Astreon in this book. Maybe in Ruin Bound. Such a long wait for that book! I can’t wait to learn more about it.