This is a very solid ending to a series I've loved, but I do think this is the weakest in the trilogy. This almost felt like a middle book to me—I thought The Oleander Sword was fantastic because so much happened, the pacing was tight, and everything was spot on. The Lotus Empire felt a lot slower, and more than half of it is spent on setting things up for the conclusion, which is usually what happens in the middle book instead. There was a lot of experimenting, which I don't mind, but also journeying, which isn't my favourite thing to read about, and it took a while before things finally started to speed up.

As always, the characters and relationships are a highlight. I loved every interaction between Malini and Priya. Their tumultuous romance is so satisfying to read. I did miss getting to see Bhumika shine the way she did in the previous installments. 

The writing is beautiful as always, but I do think the ending felt a bit too neat. There was also a prologue that never goes anywhere, and I don't understand why it was included at all. 

Regardless, The Burning Kingdoms is a fantastic trilogy, and one I would recommend to any fantasy reader.