Actual rating: 4.5 stars 
 I loved, loved and loved Elias & Laia; the way they both were perfectly and beautifully imperfect, two very human heroes...with their doubts, fears and insecurity but also unending courage and strength. These two very human heroes are the perfect representation of what kind of goodness and courage can be found in human hearts. 
 What about the commandant? Ugh I so hated her! I think she's Jack Randall's true mother (if you've seen/read Outlander, you'd understand...) 
 I actually the way Elias & Laia POVs entwined---it was awesome and so, so perfect. 
 Helene too deserves some praising,I really liked her and the friendship between her & Elias---oh it was so masterfully told. 
 The only thing I didn't like was (view spoiler)[ the triangle-or-whatever-was-it Layla had with Keenan and then Elias. I mean really girl? You love one but at the same time you lust after another. It was just...meh! Thank to God the romance didn't feel as the MC of the series and so, in the end, everything was still good (hide spoiler)] 
 As much as I'm not a big fan of series, this...THIS couldn't have been a stand alone. I mean, okay IF we consider just the"personal journey" the two protagonists undergo both physically and mentally...then yes, maybe it could have been a stand alone. BUT you don't bloody leave things so freaking open. 
 (view spoiler)[I mean there is a war on the horizon, the Night bringer on the loose, poor Darin still in prison, the Commandant pitifully not yet dead, bat-crazy Marcus emperor, Helen his blood shrike, the whole "wrong that has to be righted" and last but not least Elias & Laia on a mission together (By the way, did I mention that their kiss got me goosebumps *sighs*)---really??? There is stuff for a trilogy here!! (hide spoiler)] 
 I do really hope the next book manages to mercifully (for us) tie up all the loose ends that have been left hanging (and they're a tons) by this book.