Okay. I've read this twice now, so I feel pretty solid in my opinions. My first read was via audio, second via hard copy. Now...while I really loved the audio read and the narrator (Rebecca Soler) does a fantastic job, this book moves super quick when there's action and it's super easy to get lost. So...I was pretty well muddled by the time I reached the end.

The reread via the hard copy cleared a LOT of stuff up. I was able to go back and slowly sift through passages that still left me reeling and I was able to reference the map and the limited character/dragon/signet list. Those things made all the difference.

The story is intense and the pacing ranges from being a little slow to being a full blown whirlwind. Needless to say, this keeps a reader on their toes. There are a LOT of characters, so keeping a reference list is a good idea if you need one beyond what is provided in the beginning. This is also handy to keep track of last names and dragons, because sometimes first names aren't used or the reference in battle is to the dragon instead of the rider.

The relationships and personalities of the secondary characters are explored more in this book and I feel like I know them even better than I did after the first two books. I definitely have my favorites. And there were some really tense moments during the read where I feared Yarros might kill them off. In fact, I'm still holding my breath a bit following the ending...so beware. That ending...it's a doozy.

Now...to weed through all of this rambling...the bottom line is that I really enjoyed this book. It had me held in a vice grip. I have NEVER reread a book immediately after finishing and I still found myself just as intensely absorbed by the plot my second read through. I will now go rock myself in a corner and attempt to console myself in the fact that I have to wait two years to find out what in the world is going on.