I will never not be in love with this series, and it will never not ruin me.

Personally, if this is your first time with the series, I don't recommend reading this first. It spoils things from the first books, and the reveals are less impactful in this one. I first read it when it came out after Heir of Fire, and I'd recommend reading it then. If not immediately after, at least at some point before Tower of Dawn. You could stretch it to Kingdom of Ash, but I truly think reading it in order of publication is the best way for the first time. I read it first now because I've read the series multiple times, and I enjoy seeing the chronological chain of events, but I'm glad I didn't read it first when I originally came across the series.