I really liked the entire series as a whole. The premise was interesting, El as a character who was the unwilling, snarky hero who still tried to do as little harm as she could, the overarching themes of classism and elitism...I think this book was a good ending for El's story, but I did think this book had a whole lot of things to get through in a very short amount of time.

My issue is with the pacing because we've spent two books, years setting up how to escape the Scholomancy, and then we're given half a book to explore the world outside and how to save it. There was a large amount of information given to us, new characters to meet with entirely new dynamics and politics from each enclave.

I did like the reveals though. The truth about the Enclaves, El's prophecy and her family, and how the book was ultimately about hope and wanting to do good for others without wanting a reward. I loved El's character for that. No matter how bad things got or how angry and hopeless she felt, she still didn't give in to that destructive power within her.

The pacing at the end was a little off too - It seems everything happens very, very quickly despite entire pages at the beginning where nothing happened, but even though I liked the happy-ish ending, I would've liked to see more of the aftermath and spent some more time with the characters.

Overall really good series. Might have teared up once or twice.


407 pages.
(⚠️Content Warnings;
 Graphic: Death, Torture, Grief

Moderate: War, Child abuse, Child death

Minor: Sexual content, Death of parent )
 

Me ha gustado, pero hubiese preferido un final distinto.

Hay veces que la muerte de un personaje importante encaja más que que se salve.

I felt so many fucking feelings. 

I cried like 40% of my reading time. 

No joke this is a rough one but this series speaks to me on a deep level and this book is by FAR the best. And i say that having rated thd other 2 books 5⭐️ as well. 

The character arcs. The deep messages about the radical nature of forgivness and the continuous work of a good life. The hope. 

Chefs kiss. 5 stars. Hell 6 stars. 

The conclusion of the Scholomance series. Compelling and powerful, El's furious railing against the inequalities of society and power is tempered with understanding and a willingness to take uncomfortable action. While moments of humour shine through, this installment has an emotional depth and complexity that shows how much the characters have grown. 

A great finale to a great series. I loved the book. It was a satisfying conclusion that matched the tone of the series. I could write a million words on how amazing this was without fully getting it across. Suffice it to say this is a series I will happily revisit and find new things each time. Mind the trigger warnings but I highly recommend it.

A stunning conclusion - to a brilliant trilogy - that

makes sense of the events of the first two novels and clarifies El’s purpose

. Novik’s magical world is desperately dark, but protagonist El and her people are tenacious in their pursuit of a glimmering, golden hope for a better future.