Heartpounding. I was gripped by this chilling installment from start to finish. Courtesy of Sarah J. Maas and her impeccable storytelling. 
 I started reading this the day before it was officially released, having been spoiled by sparse early reviews floating around. I'd already heard of the falling-out between Aelin and Chaol that was the object of such frenzied scorn by the masses. 
 But really, what would you expect? Chaol and Aelin changed so much, for better or for worse. It happens to us all. Who escapes life? That's precisely the beauty of it. 
 It was awkward, it was even cringe-worthy. But it felt real to me. 
 They deeply cared for one another once. But their time to be so deeply enmeshed in each other's lives ended. 
 I won't deny my annoyance with Chaol towards the beginning of this installment. The dude dealt Aelin some low blows. But no one's perfect. Everyone stumbles now and then. I hoped that he would learn from it, and he did. I know what happened to Chaol at the end was gruesome, but he's still hanging on. More than that, actually. So fear not, fans of Chaol. I'm sure a long, fulfilling journey awaits him. 
 In any case, I'm glad that Aelin has the Eye of the Elena back. 
 It was painful to see Aedion in his cell, willing himself to die from his wounds than remain alive to be played as a pawn in the trap the king of Adarlan had set up for Aelin Galathynius. Loyal until the very end, that Aedion Ashryver. 
 And that was the very reason why I was teeming at the edge of my seat as events played out and built up to the day of his rescue. 
 In fact, I was so flustered with impatience that I wasn't as enthusiastic about Manon's chapters. 
 Don't get me wrong, Manon Blackbeak is a compelling character. Fierce, cunning, and pulsing off the page like no other. I've always seen stark similarities between her and Aelin. 
 Here, we see Manon temporarily aligning with mortals before she can tend to her own, grander agenda - reclaiming her land. On her terms. Or nothing else. 
 Something that I have failed to remember, relentlessly, is that witches were created when the Valg demons mated with Fae. 
 Dorian's possession by the Valg Prince was also intriguing to read. Cruel, yes. 
 Excruciating, especially. Because the Crown Prince of Adarlan as we have always known him is by nature a compassionate, sympathetic, intelligent man. 
 We see him here, futilely thrashing, still present in his body and yet unable to exert any semblance of control over it. 
 But there's a fledgling sort of awareness remaining. 
 I remember what a wild ride The Assassin's Blade was - how exhilarating it was to adventure with Celaena Sardothien in that wretched, wicked, fascinating underworld. 
 The encounter between Aelin and Arobynn Hamel has been a long time coming. 
 Like Aelin said, there's a devilishly steep debt she must glean from him. 
 The absence of Sam Cortland stung as Aelin visited old sights where she spent her days as the most fearsome assassin in Adarlan. 
 I was glad when we finally discovered where Sam was buried, after all this time... and so much more to go. 
 And then the rescue of Aedion. Tears were in my eyes when Aelin threw the Eye of Elena over him. Though they were apart for so long, that natural click between these cousins remained, growing stronger and never wavering. Love the moment when Aelin and Aedion shared the stories of their various scars. 
 Things definitely got exciting when Rowan arrived in Rifthold. 
 I don't say this because I ship him and Aelin. In fact, I'd much prefer not shipping altogether. Sarah J. Maas is adroit with writing compelling characters. By now, I've read all the books she has published. I'm thankful to her for sharing with us such riveting stories and delightful characters. 
 Rowan Whitethorn is one of those memorable characters. This Fae prince is a formidable fighter - ferocious and loyal to the very end. 
 I like what effect he has on Aelin, and vice versa. They make each other better, no matter what they are to each other. Every step of the way, they challenge and support each other. Fiercely and unyieldingly. 
 I still wonder how he knew to address her as Fireheart, a name that means so much to Aelin. 
 That blood bond between them is also an interesting concept. There was a moment where Aelin saw from his eyes, and when he felt her near-lethal wound during the epic battle at the glass castle. 
 Hopefully we find out more in the next installment. 
 Rowan adjusting without magic was fun to read about. I enjoyed every moment of him staying under the same roof with Aelin and Aedion. Fun, fun times. 
 The death of a certain sadistic former mentor was satisfying to the bones. 
 The encounter between Manon and Aelin carved goosebumps on every inch of me. 
 All the separate chapters were building up to this confrontation, for better or for worse. I'm glad that it happened the way that it did. Impeccable. 
 I was unable to move in my seat until it was all over. 
 When Rowan shielded Aelin and received Asterin's arrow instead, I feared for him. 
 And when Aedion made it rain arrows on the pursuing witches, I was shivering. 
 The story of Asterin and the human man was heartbreaking. It's terrible that Asterin had that wretched word burned into her skin after she lost her child. 
 We learn the truth about Manon's grandmother - not that we hadn't guessed as much, that she was the devil incarnate. 
 Asterin's reasons for being loyal to Manon have won my support for her character. I hope this story takes Asterin to better places, and a shot at being happy in a better world. 
 "But I told myself I would dedicate my life wholly to being your Second. To serving you. Not your grandmother. Because I knew your grandmother had hidden me from you for a reason. I think she knew you would have fought for me. And whatever your grandmother saw in you that made her afraid ... It was worth waiting for. Worth serving. So I have." 
 Oh, Asterin! 
 I appreciate that nod to the concept of the "thread in the world" that links one person to another we were introduced to in The Assassin's Blade in the moments before Aelin rushed to save Manon's life. 
 And set in stone Manon's life debt to her, albeit unintentionally. 
 Because, as Aelin revealed later, Asterin had screamed Manon's name the way Aelin had screamed Rowan's name when he shielded her from the killing arrow. 
 The killing arrow that had been shot by Asterin. 
 Alas, it comes full circle. 
 Rowan and Aedion working together is a formidable force of nature. One to be reckoned with. Really enjoyed when they went up against those blasted Wyrdhounds, a confrontation in which Lorcan played his deadly hand of betrayal sometime before. Tsk, tsk. 
 Lorcan did return, though - and at a very crucial moment. 
 Once the Wyrdhounds were down, and Lysandra leaped in at a pivotal slice in time, I was screaming. 
 Oh, that moment when Dorian fought and finally took the collar off... 
 It was a long time coming. 
 I'm sure he'll be a wonderful king. 
 So the world ended. And the next one began. 
 I can see this book going in an interesting direction. With that grand reveal about where Erawan is - or rather, whose body he's been using as a vessel - may very lead our heroes to twisty and breathtaking places. 
 Though this is only the fourth installment out of six, the tale already feels like it has come full circle with Rowan and Aelin being back in her old rooms, the place she stayed when she was competing to win the title of Champion. 
 There was also that dinner - Aelin, Aedion, Dorian all at the same dinner table - like they had a decade ago, before their lives were changed in so many ways. 
 "We are the masters of our own fates--we decide how to go forward." 
 Like Chaol said, it isn't the end of the road - but the beginning of a new one. 
 The fourth volume - spectacular, I have to say again - does not leave us with a cliffhanger, but there is no denying that there is much to do before Aelin reclaims her throne. 
 I'm sure we'll see old faces again - Nox Owen, Ansel of Briarcliff (hilarious that Aelin used her name when she fought at that spinoff of the Vaults}, perhaps even the Silent Assassins? 
 And of course, I'm wondering how Manon's life debt to Aelin will play out in the future. 
 This was a phenomenal installment. Sarah J. Maas never ceases to impress me with her storytelling prowess. 
 Until next time, Aelin Ashryver Galathynius. I look forward to the next part of this wonderful journey. It won't be long now.