I need to scream into the void for a second (and probably not in the way you'd think).

Listening to this audiobook was like dating a narcissist. I spent 20 hours hoping things would change. That they would get better.

I was wrong.

If you loved this book, I'm sorry, but I think you'd better stop reading my review now (or jump to the end), because I have criticism... Lots of criticism.

Also spoilers ahead. Lots.

WHAT I DISLIKED:

This book spent 20 hours (what's it, like 800 pages??) telling me, "Ooh this is high stakes, this is intense, this is huge..." It’s like the book kept yelling, “THIS IS IMPORTANT” and I was just there like, “Is it though??”

We progressed from character arcs to character flatlines. At best, we're running on an emotional hamster wheel: the same conflict, the same tension, the same internal spirals... and no real progress.

I know this is a romantasy, but bloody hell, can we not learn ways of creating relational drama other than miscommunication?? I mean, seriously, all the secrets are meant to pass as deep and tense, but really, they're just missing the common sense.

You know what I felt when Violet woke up and Xaden was gone at the end? Relief. Relief. I thought, "Finally. Now maybe the story can actually move on."

Clearly, that's not how I am meant to feel about the MMC disappearing, right? 🫤 But you know what? This book did not earn my emotional wreckage in that moment.

Quinn's death was the one moment that ripped my heart out, but the subsequent chapters did nothing to quench my thirst for payoff. Violet's killing Theophanie was expected and Xaden's turning full venin, I mean, we all saw that coming, right? What was meant to be a cliffhanger at the end, was a "well, that wasn't worth the 20 hours of listening I invested," moment.

Instead of being mind-blown and on the edge of my seat, I was just sitting there like: “...what???” “Did I miss something???” Apparently not. The confusion is the point. Cool. Love that for us. 🙃

Now, let me address the graphic audio. When I say they took the “graphic” part seriously... I mean they took it personally.

I did not sign up for 4D surround-sound corn-esque intimacy for EVERY. 👊🏻 SINGLE. 👊🏻 INTERACTION. 👊🏻

Like, damn guys, they don't need to sound like they're about to get off during a quick forehead kiss before running off to battle.

The sound effects were unnecessarily intense. In fact, they were downright gross at times. The scene where Mira's throat gets slit... I get what they were going for, but they overshot the impactful mark by a mile, straight into puke-town.

THINGS I ALMOST LIKED:

There were a number of moments where I was like “Oh?? OH?? Oooooh.” Like the fight with Loran in Xaden's class. I was 100% with Ridoc there. 🤣 That was a real standout moment, but that's all it was... a moment. Then the Violet-Xaden relationship dynamics would kick back in and I’d be like, “Never mind, I’m tired again.”

This book could have worked. It has good ideas. It has moments. It has flashes of something really compelling, BUT it never fully commits. It builds and builds and builds… and then just kind of shrugs instead of delivering.

THINGS I ACTUALLY LIKED:

Despite all of this, the side characters were out here doing the most.

Ridoc? Incredible. Chef's kiss.

• Growth.
• Backbone.
• Calling people out.
• Actual DEVELOPMENT.

This man is an actual gem. I think one of his most memorable quotes for me would be:

Ridoc’s eyes narrow. “I’m just as good of a fighter as any of you, and while you’ve been focused on rehab and Rhiannon is chasing first-years to keep them in line, I’ve been the one reading every fucking book Jesinia shoves at me and spending extra hours training—” The skin on the orange splits. “It really pisses me off when you guys act like my sense of humor somehow lessens my ability to show up for our squad.”

(Second only to “I”—punch—“hate”—punch—“sewing.") 🤣🤣🤣

It's so true, though, how the comedic relief character often gets discounted when it matters most. I loved how he started advocating for himself. I also loved getting a glimpse into his relationship with Aotrom. I need more of that.

Also, the scene where Violet comes clean and he finally calls her out is gold. Pure gold. Definitely one of the standout scenes for me. It shows how deeply thoughtful and considerate he is. He truly cares.

I also loved Rhiannon’s POV. It was a breath of fresh air. Calm, grounded, decisive. It was like stepping out of emotional chaos into competence for five blessed minutes. More of her and Feirge too, please.

AND the one place the graphic audio really came through was Quinn's death. I was sobbing. Kudos to the two voice actors. They did the most and it actually worked in that scene. They broke my heart. 💔

FINAL VERDICT:

Some good and almost good moments aside... At this point? I don’t think I care enough to continue when the next book comes out.

I’m tired. Just let me go. 😭