"Sometimes a truth squeezes you so tightly you can't breathe." 
 I have been waiting for this forever it seems, though, it's only been a year. I couldn't put this down. It started a little off for me because it had been so long since I read the second book. 
 I have to be honest, the beginning kind of lost me. It's most likely just because it's been a year since I read the second one. So really, I blame myself because the writing was truly top notch but it was just too much for me at the moment. I don't really know how to explain it besides saying it took me some pages to get back into her style of writing. 
 Besides that blimp, the book was the perfect end to the series. I was a little (view spoiler)[ salty that it took so long for Kestrel to remember Arin after being apart for basically forever. But, obvs, it worked out in the end so that's okay. (hide spoiler)] They are really one of my favorite couples. Arin + Kestrel FOREVER. 
 "Even if you had no reason at all, fear isn't foolish." 
 This book was action packed and I enjoyed seeing all the thought that went into planning the battle tactics. As much as this book is about the action and the survival of Arin's country, Rutkoski doesn't lack relationship growth. There's the perfect balance of action and character development. 
 Speaking of characters... 
 She entered Roshar's tend. "I need your help" 
 Blinking, he propped himself up on his bed. He said groggily, "And I need a real door. With a lock." 
 "I have an idea." 
 "I don't know you all that well, and still hearing you say that makes me very, very worried." 
 "Listen to me." 
 "If I do, can I go back to sleep? Being a fearless leader is exhausting." 
 Roshar was hilarious and the perfect dose of witty. I loved his relationship with Arin (both of them-- the person and the tiger) and later, his relationship with Kestrel. I love his character type. You do see it kind of everywhere though- he's a Dorian, Laurent, Rhys, Adrian, etc. But I love them all and I don't care that they're more common in YA characters (and I wish I knew them in real life even though I'd probably want to punch them. hard.) Snarky, but lovable. It doesn't work out so well in real life. 
 Everything was tied up so neatly (I don't mean that in a bad way, the path to get there was messy but the ending didn't leave any questions) and I'm happy about (view spoiler)[ the lack of deaths. I have to say, I didn't see it coming about how Kestrel defeated the emperor. (hide spoiler)] It was clever and well written. Clearly. 
 I thought this was the perfect conclusion to the series. It makes me want to go back and see how it all started. I couldn't put this book down. I think it's one of my favorite trilogies because damn this book!