Rating: ★★★★☆
At times, my jaw was clenched to prevent tears. At times, my jaw dropped at the reveals made. At times, my jaw tensed with fear and agony and righteous anger. This was one crazy ride.
I believe it happened for a reason. I believe it all happened for a reason. I believe it wasn't for nothing.
I am really glad I didn't read the blurb of this book before I started reading (I am a die-hard SJM fan, I will read anything that woman writes) because it made everything so shocking and interesting. Yes, there are remnants of SJM's other books--I could draw clear parallels between Hunt/Bryce's relationship and Rhys/Feyre's relationship for example. However, there was still something so fresh and intriguing about this world.
Let me pause here for a couple of disclaimers:
- YES, this book lags until page ~450
- YES, the first half of this book is full of info-dumping
- YES, the topics of drugs/overdoses are not well-dealt with
- YES, there is so much cursing in this book that it is childish/slightly distracting (I got used to it after a while though)
- YES, the random smut/sex jokes from full-grown adults is uncomfortable
- YES, this book is way longer than it needs to be
- YES, this book reads more like the final book of a series than the first book of a series
- YES, I cringed at the consistent references to "scents" and "alphaholes"
Okay, these are my disclaimers. This is me saying that the book was not perfect, and not my favorite from SJM. But this book gets 4 stars anyway. Let's get into why.
I don't know how, but SJM is so good at drawing emotion out of me. This might be because when the emotions start flowing is when the book picks up. So everything is fine and normal, and then all of the sudden the plot explodes, and I don't even have time to catch my breath before the next blow hits. The last 150 pages of this book were just insane. Every chapter was going 100 mph, and every chapter gave me a new reason to want to squeal or cry or scream in delight or sadness or anger. It really is an emotional roller coaster ride.
I know I mentioned the beginning is slow, and there's a lot info-duming, but this personally doesn't bother me (I just know it's an issue for a lot of people). I have just accepted that this is how SJM books are: slow beginnings and fast endings. As for the info-dumping, I actually disagree but this might just be my interpretation. What most people see as info-dumping, I see as world building. So yeah, SJM spends 400 pages dumping info on us, but it's info that helps build the world and immerse the reader in it. Also, I am once again amazed how every plot and past and event comes full circle. There were some stories that we learn as we go through the entire book (it's not told all at once), which really tie into the resolution nicely.
My SPOILER part of the review (DO NOT READ if you haven't read the book):
I have two spoilery comments. First, the part I was referencing in the above paragraph was how the motorcycle crash ties into Danika learning about Bryce's powers in the end of the book. I did not see that coming, and it gave me a new appreciation for their friendship at just the right moment.
Secondly, I am conflicted on the defeat of the major villains. On one hand, Bryce killing Micah was one of the most epic, soul-wrenching face-offs I've ever read. That was super cool, but also so emotional. Just amazing. BUT, then I felt that Hunt killing Sandriel was way too easy, he just blasts her with a bunch of lightning and rips off her head. It was over and done in like a page, and Sandriel didn't even fight back. This was totally backwards to me because Sandriel was the one made out to be the Big Bad Guy the entire book, so the finale should have spent more time and energy on her demise, whereas Micah was just kinda there but he gets this epic battle. I suppose it couldn't have been different because if Sandriel had been the one to go rogue it would have been too predictable, too easy, too expected. Still, I wish Sandriel's defeat would have been more impactful. [END SPOILERS]
So no, the book is not perfect, but it made me feel so many emotions, and reminded me so much of why I love reading and getting immersed in fictional worlds, that I just have to give this book a solid 4/5.
