THIS BOOK...JUST WOW!!!

Rereading this duology has given me a better appreciation of the scope of Tamora Pierce's creativity and writing. This series is so unique from the other Tortall books, and I think that is why it stands out!

Compared to Alanna, Daine, and Kel, this book focuses more on the behind-the-scenes of running a kingdom (or taking over a kingdom) - whereas Aly's predecessors are more involved in a hands-on kind of way. That's what I loved about this book. Yes, it's mostly Aly sitting at a desk and going through paperwork and using her mind more than her hands, but it's interesting. It gives you can idea of how countries are run, how threats are identified and dealt with, how rebellions are formed, how strength is found in weaknesses, and how to use people against each other to get to a certain means. It shows you the complexity and the forethought that must happen in order for a successful rebellion to take place. I LOVED EVERY SECOND OF IT!!

I have read the other reviews for this book and wanted to address a few things.

First of all, some reviewers have said that everything seemed to come too easy for Aly. I have to agree a little that things did seem to happen too smoothly, though that could have just been because Aly was taught so well by her father. And it could also have been because the Rittevons were so slack in their security that it never dawned on them that the Raka could have such a good spymaster. But I'll admit, things could have gone "more" wrong. Maybe one of Aly's informers could have gotten caught, or a close friend turned out to be a spy for the Crown, I don't know. But at the same time, I liked how the story went. It didn't bother me too much that everything came so easy for Aly - it didn't feel that way while I was reading. Aly just felt prepared most of the time - there were those times when she wasn't prepared like with Sarai and Dunevon and the ship, but I loved seeing how her mind worked and how she came up with solutions to problems.

A thing I really liked about this series is the role of Kyprioth. Compared to the other Tortall books, the Gods aren't so involved in the main character's lives. Like they pop in now and then, but they don't do much else. Kyprioth was an interesting god - he felt so human and real, and then we were reminded that like the Greek/Roman gods, he doesn't care so much about who dies, as long as he gets what he wants. That scene between him and Aly after the sinking of the ship made me so mad, yet it made so much sense that Kyprioth would do something like that. I think someone argued that he interferes waay to much and makes everything so easy for Aly - I'm not sure if I'd agree with that. He interferes cause that's his nature. He's a Trickster god, he's impatient and doesn't like to sit around waiting for stuff to happen. So he does something and then Aly has to deal with the repercussions. Same thing with the Graveyard and Sarai.

Speaking of Sarai...I really started to not like her in this book, but at the same time I understood why she was acting the way she was. Sarai had lost her father because of someone who she kind of had feelings for/loved. She feels guilty and mad and impatient. She wants something to happen and doesn't want to wait. Which makes sense. I think, by this point, she's tired of life as a noble with a constant threat to her life and not being able to speak her mind. So she runs away. It all seems so part of her character, yet it made me mad that she didn't think about what would happen to Winna and Dove and Petranne and Elsren. That she could just leave them like that and not think twice. Also I really liked Zaimid - like A LOT - and was hoping that he and Dove would end up together. So the pairing just didn't seem right to me. But oh well...I should also add, that I forgot a lot of plot twists in this book, so I was genuinely surprised when Sarai left and when certain people died.

Another argument made was that we didn't get to see Nawat's character growth and for that I definitely agree. The first time around, I fell in love with Nawat and Aly together, but this time that wasn't the case exactly. Nawat wasn't even there for most of the book, so when he came back all changed, it felt like something was missing. It felt like he changed a part of who he was to make Aly happy, though at the same time Aly came to realize that she can't control Nawat like she did her other boyfriends and she has to let him do what he's good at. So I don't know. I'm stuck here. But they are cute together and Nawat is hilarious and he's still a little crow so I don't know...

Someone else said that we don't see Aly's character growth, but we're told it instead. And I don't agree with that exactly. I guess we are told by Aly what her previous dalliances were like with boys in Tortall, and she points out in this book that she doesn't feel that way anymore and that she's more serious. All I can say is that Aly's grown up. She's seen more of the world and seen things that are more important than fooling around and having meaningless fun. I do love how she still uses her flirting skills for her own benefit - it makes her a fun character to read about!

I feel like I've bashed this book a whole lot, yet given it a 5 stars anyway. I feel like all these points don't take away from the plot and the creativity. I loved every second of this book! I genuinely had my mouth hanging open multiple times and the FEELS were just too much by the end.

Honestly a great way to end the year!!!