Ah, I don't think I've read any high fantasy series as fast as I read this one in recent years.

Were there a few things that could have been paced better? Sure. Some character arcs that could have been handled differently (though that's always more a preference than an objective fact)? Yeah. But overall, there was never a moment throughout for books with hundreds of pages each whe I was seriously annoyed or frustrated, and definitely never bored.

This is one of the best series overall I've read, and managing all of this as a debut series? Well, if that wasn't a job well chosen by John Gwynne.

The series has it all: an engaging plot, intricate characters, great worldbuilding. I loved the themes, I loved how our heroes won the day by staying loyal, courageous, brave, hopeful, willing to forgive, willing to put aside differences and vengeance for what really mattered. Able to look past simple good and evil, and prejudices and conflicts, by focusing on the simple fact that we can't argue about shit if someone is out there trying to burn down the table we need to sit around and argue our heads off. Maybe that makes me naive and stupid, I don't know.

Specifically for the last book, I just loved how earned every success felt. After 3 books of preparation, of being beaten down, of always standing up again, keep going, building friendships and alliances and knowledge and skills, winning back the field step by little step felt great to read. And it was hopeful, to see that if we continue to fight and hope, we might be able to win. It will be hard and painful and not everyone will make it, but we can get there.

I'll stop rambling now, I think my feelings are clear. Loved every minute, and will definitely reread at one point to experience it all again.