I'm still digesting this! When you start a book series as a kid and are now almost 29 and the fifth book is released after a seven-year wait, there are going to be EXPECTATIONS. I knew from the description that this wasn't going to be exactly what I wanted. I love Gen, Irene, and Helen so much, but this wasn't going to focus on them. That was fine. 
 But even with tempered expectations, the first half of this book had me wondering if I LIKED it or not. After some reflection, I think that's because, if this book had been written by anyone else, I wouldn't have because I just don't trust any other writer like I trust MWT. The whole time, very subtly, MWT is just like, "I'm not gonna give you what you think I'm gonna give you." That's frustrating at first, but ultimately SO EXCITING. This isn't a typical YA fantasy, and that's a great thing. By the last 15% when everything was coming together, my appreciation and excitement were growing by the page. Even now, a few hours after I've finished, I appreciate this book more than I did a little while ago. And books that leave me thinking are A+. 
 One of MWT's many strengths is characterization, and Kamet and the Attolian are wonderfully drawn here. I didn't think I'd like Kamet as much as I did, given his tendency toward arrogance, but I found myself more drawn to his side as the story went on. And the comparisons between his relationship with the Attolian and the one between Immakuk and Ennikar were beautifully done. 
 I find the marriage of this characterization with her bold plot structuring and her deceptively simple prose to be fascinating. It's like taking a masterclass on writing while I read. This is a strong entry in the series, and the only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is because QoA and KoA remain my favorites. I'm very excited for the next book, but I'll try to be patient.