I liked this and it was a really interesting back/side story. it did redeem Chaol to me. I never hated him but I just was getting exhausted with his emotional baggage. I do find it a little odd/weird/creepy that he found his partner in the girl who modeled a lot of her behaviour and self from Celaena because of the Assassin's Blade story. 
 I loved getting introduced to a new world and court. I do think that part moved a little slower. the last like...third or quarter of the book made me gasp so many times (in traditional Maas style). Maeve...oh I want to take that bitch down so hard! Lyssandra is my homegirl so I loved the reveal in this book. I loved Nesryn's new ship much more than with Chaol. I'm excited to see how all this plays into the sixth book.