One moment near the end, I thought I was going to die from grief and despair. So I stopped reading altogether and slept it away. I couldn't take it. Was even on the brink of giving up the book/series. Then I told myself, 'what the hell might as well end the agony and finish this damn thing'. But when I resumed and toiled through the end, I suddenly snapped out of my trance. Now I wanted to dive into the second book more than ever! Job well done, Ms. Lu!