Okay, A Crown of the Gods might be a slower read than the previous books in the series, but wow, it still packed a punch. It really felt like the calm before the storm, the kind of book that takes a breath before all hell breaks loose... and you know it's coming. So the slowness isn’t a flaw, it doesn’t mean it was boring. It was more focused on the characters and setting things up for the big finale. And let me tell you, the cliffhanger at the end? Brutal (in the best way). Casia is in a much darker place this time around, you can tell she’s really feeling the weight of everything now. It made sense for where she’s at mentally and emotionally, and it added a lot of depth to her character arc. This leads into what stood out most to me and that’s how Casia’s anxiety is still present and accounted for. Gaither didn’t just drop that aspect of her character after book one, which I really appreciate. There are moments where her anxiety creeps in and completely takes over her thoughts and emotions, and it’s written so well. It’s a small detail, but for me, it makes Casia feel so real and relatable. Elander. He’s just... perfect. Supportive, swoony, and everything you’d want in a fantasy love interest. I adore him. The meddling goddesses are more involved (and as schemey as ever), and there are plenty of twists involving the gods, some of whom are definitely not what they seem. New powers come into play, secrets are revealed, and it feels like everything is slowly building toward something huge. There’s a twist that I didn’t see it coming, and I loved how Gaither took this trope and totally flipped it. It didn’t feel tired or predictable, it felt fresh and exciting in a way that made me sit up and pay attention. If you’ve been following the series, this one might feel like a shift in tone, but it’s 100% worth it. I’m both excited and terrified for what comes next.