Well, this was spectacular. And also, gut-wrenching: by the end, I was CRYING.
Kai Butler continues to amaze me with her talent: the plot, the world-building, the magic, the romance, the characters... everything is masterfully created.

This series is precisely why I love this genre so damn much, and "A Gilded Iron Blade" just adds new, fascinating layers to the complexity of the plot and new, unexpected layers to both Parker and Nick's characters and their romance.
Parker, in particular, broke my heart in many, many points: his life has been so complicated, and seeing all of his powers and obligations war inside and outside of him, all his hidden insecurities about being left by the people he loves, all his doubts... I just felt for him so much. His relationship with Laurel and Shannon and Marco is (and was) something so special, and let me tell you, although the content warnings gave me an idea, I was not expecting to cry THAT much at the end. My heart just splintered for him.

Nick, as usual, was fantastic, although he still remains somewhat a mystery: I'm curious to see if we'll finally meet his famously powerful family in the next book, and what will be their reaction to Parker's unusual ways. I have a feeling his cover as a normal kitchen witch is about to be blown.
Also, what was THAT ENDING? OMG, I'm so excited to read what else Kai Butler has in store for us.