I liked this way more than I thought I would and the spice level was just right - a low simmer with a passionate scene with consent. I actually thought this would go an entirely different way where Elspeth would absorb all the cards and then recreate the Twin Alders somehow, but I love the way it twists and the return of the Shepherd King (although the heartbreak about Ravyn 💔). The characters are complex and although there were some spots where we clearly just need to follow along a little blindly, it all makes for a good story in the end. I’m looking forward to reading the sequel…