"I had so many chances to see what you were doing. And I didn't. I didn't stop you. I didn't help you. I despised you." 
 This conclusion was pretty perfect, the kinds of tension that I enjoy are sustained throughout, while the kinds that I don't quickly serve their purpose and are dispensed with. Politically and personally there was a lot of ground to cover in order to bring everything from the previous two books to a proper conclusion and this was done successfully, each relationship receiving the level of attention it deserved. 
 There are many surprises throughout and I don't want to deprive anyone of them by being too detailed. Suffice to say I couldn't be more happy with the way Arin and Kestrel's story is closed, in fact the final scene entails something I've been hoping to have happen and my heart was filled with warmth as I read the final page (thank you Marie Rutkoski!). 
 However, come the end, nothing is too neat and clean. Trajan, Verex, and Risha are all in somewhat different circumstances than what I would have theorized, as is the country of Valoria itself. Some things feel tied into the beautiful bow I wanted them to be, other relationships and political matters are left off in their chaotic middle, while still others are embarking on surprising new beginnings. However it all comes together in a way that feels right and safe enough for the characters and the story to conclude with peace in the readers mind. 
 The first book was more romance focused, the second more political, this final chapter is heavy on both war (many descriptive battles on both land and sea) with an equal focus on Arin and Kestrel. 
 While tension is high from beginning to end, I don't think anything is more painful than the first handful of chapters. After that, though things are difficult, but both reader and protagonists slowly start to connect with a measure of hope. 
 Exciting. Anxiety-filled. Action-packed. Romantic. I couldn't be happier with this end to one of my absolute favorite YA series and two of my very favorite protagonists.