Alright HERE WE GO! I am going to try to keep this as spoiler free for THIS BOOK as possible. This was a solid 4 stars for me. It reminded me SO MUCH of A Court of Wings and Ruin- LOTS of world building- new worlds and characters we had not met yet. Even though spice was there in book 2, it felt a little rushed and misplaced in this one. New questions are asked in this one- like a LOT of new questions. I feel like I walked away with more questions than answers. I found myself in awe AND frustrated by the fact that all of these books (more book 2 and 3) have been a serious slow burn with an established couple. I didn't even know that was possible- but Rebecca has proven me wrong! With that being said- seeing Xaden be ALL IN was just soooo amazing. Because of the length of time between this one and Iron Flame- I found myself referencing the character and dragon guide a LOT. This one just dove RIGHT in from where the last one ended. I really liked reading about all of the side characters- is anyone else DYING for Ridoc to meet someone who is just going to knock him off his feet?? I am also wondering if Imogen will actually make her move on Garrick. PRETTY PLEASE. I liked hearing from different POVs at the end of the book. Xaden of course was my fav!! And dear lord that ending- not that we didn't see it coming in some form or fashion BUT what are we supposed to do for the next however many years????? Come up with alllll the theories of course. 

Iron Flame spoilers below:

Violet is back in Basgiath with yet another secret that no one can know. Well no one besides who already knows. Xaden is turning Venin. And according to all lore and texts, there is no cure. BUT Violet has never met a challenge she can't work around or through. So that is her plan. She believes that Andarna's kind holds the key. So she comes up with a mission to take a crew and find them. Her and Xaden are back to their ways of sneaking around and such due to a decision Xaden made thinking he would be closer to her. We learn more about Violet's ex lover- who is now also on this voyage. And though they do find Andarna's "people"- they don't find what they are looking for. And the Venin are getting closer and closer to Aretia. Battles ensue. Betrayals of sorts happen and STILL Violet knows nothing about how to cure Xaden. And when the final battle happens she knows in her soul things have shifted. 

There was a lot of filler in this one which is part of the reason this was a 4 star and not 5 for me. I know it is all necessary information but had a hard time swallowing that I walked away with no answers. We got more clues to the answers but not full answers. I SOOO many questions about the end. But the biggest one is how this is all going to shake out?? Any and all thoughts and theories are welcome here!!