Why is this the end?? 
 After reading The Heir, I pretty much hated Eadlyn, because of how she acted. This book, however, totally makes me change my opinion of her. Honestly, I went into this book just because I NEEDED to know what would happen to America. 
 This book picks up right where we left off in The Heir. America has just suffered a heart attack, Ahren has married and gone to France to be with his wife, the boys are down to the Elite, and Eadlyn is Queen Regent. As soon as this responsibility is put on Eadlyn, I begin to actually like her. She stands her ground and learns to take the advice of those who try and help her (Kile, Neena, Ahren's letter, Lady Brice). Then, we are introduced to Marid (view spoiler)[ who I just KNEW was a sneaky-sneak (hide spoiler)] who appears to want to help Eadlyn reach her people. Eadlyn is ultimately forced to realize where her heart is leading her, and the person that it is leading her to. She's made friendships with the Elite and it is hard for her to let them go. In the end, I'm very happy with who she ends up with, even though I guessed that early on. I liked the heart-to-heart that Eadlyn and Maxon had right before she made her decision. It showed that she was genuinely prepared to change her entire "personal" life for the future of her people. She grew so much as a character in this book. I'm sad it's over! 
 This book had some really good twists and turns (view spoiler)[ Marid, Ean and Hale!!, Lady Brice! (hide spoiler)] but it did leave me wanting more. I wanted Miss Lucy to (view spoiler)[ be able to have a family. I thought that since it was brought up so much, Cass would at least put something in the epilogue about them having a happy little family now (hide spoiler)]. I was happy that (view spoiler)[ Josie completely took a 180, and I loved that she married into the family. (hide spoiler)]. Overall, I loved this final installment, but I'll always want more of this story.