Surprising everyone, namely myself, this book was my absolute favorite of the three. I had sort of forgotten it was even coming out, and only when I saw the cover was I reminded of its existence and my assumption that it just wouldn't be good. I'm so glad to be wrong, because not only did this one pull me out of a reading slump, but it made me love this series even more, and it was surprisingly comforting to be back in this world. Adrian is such a complex and whole character, and watching him grapple with mental illness and grief and the shock of discovering his older siblings was at turns heartbreaking, delightful, and frustrating. Getting to see Monty, Felicity, and Percy all grown up was such a treat, and I appreciate so much that Lee made them incredibly well-rounded as characters too. Though it made me sad for them that their lives weren't everything they'd hoped for after 17 years, it was also a realistic and important depiction. It was wonderful to see that even they could go through real development so many years later.

I think what I loved most about this, though, is that Lee finally balanced out the realism vs. fantasy conundrum that these books have struggled with in the past. I felt, and still feel, that the magical elements of books one and two were strange and largely unnecessary additions to the story. In this one, however, The Flying Dutchman and Adrian's spyglass functioned more successfully as a metaphor than either the alchemical heart or sea serpent. I also loved seeing the real world connections to mental health care in centuries past, and how someone might have lived with debilitating anxiety before the advent of psychologists, medication, or any real understanding. I had absolutely no idea how this book would end, and that is one of my favorite feelings in a book. I am going to miss this series for its humor and heart, but mostly for Monty. Always Monty.