This review was originally posted on Star Crossed Reviews Where do I start with this review? I LOVED the Shadow and Bone trilogy, the Six of Crows duology and the first Nikolai book but I have mixed feelings about this book. I stopped and restarted this book quite a few times this year so much so that it took me most of the year to finish it.

There were some really classic Grieshaverse moments that I really enjoyed. I loved seeing some of the mad plans that Nikolai made and everyone working together during the big battle.

I usually love a multiple POV however it did seem like there was a lot going on in this book and given it is meant to be Nikolai's book I felt like we didn't focus enough on him. I enjoyed Nina and her storyline but I did feel some of it was a bit rushed. Like it came a bit out of nowhere IMO.

Zoya was excellent in this book. She grew so much and it was very interesting to hear more of her back story. I felt like I really understood Zoya by the end of the story.

I loved returning to Ketterdam and getting a glimpse of some of the SoC characters and returning to the Grieshaverse. The world is so richly built that I jumped straight back there despite it being so long since I was in the world.

Lauren's narration is on point. Lauren is one of my top narrators I'm always so excited when I see Lauren is narrating a book I am desperate to listen to. Liking the narrator is so important with audiobooks and Lauren always nails it.

The rest of it was a bit meh. Will it put me off future books by Leigh, probably not but I also won't put them to the top of my reading pile.