Because this is the last book in the trilogy there were a lot of things happening in the plot. The pace of the story was wonderful and kept me completely engaged as all the issues that were raised in the second book were reaching resolution. With June in the Republic's government, and with Day's cliffhanger issue from Prodigy, things started to get so bleak in this book that I thought for sure there was no way it could end happily! Whether or not it did, I won't say, but I think the author crafted a very intricate ending that was pretty much perfect. 
 With June and Day - they have such a difficult relationship that I was glad to finally get some closure on their feelings for each other. It's important that the author didn't make things too easy because their past histories are so complex, and I loved that they had to work to find a way to get past that. And even with a war brewing, it still felt important that Day and June get together. I think it's a great achievement that Marie Lu wrote a story that has a very realistic world on the brink of social and political change, but keeps the story centered on these characters and their lives. It keeps the drama human, which is great for me because I don't really enjoy politics-heavy stories.