while i was reading the first book and the second book, i kept getting glimpses of the type of emotions i felt while reading novik's 2015 novel uprooted, and i was chasing that feeling so much. i really craved it. i was worried that i wouldn't feel entirely fulfilled by this series. instead, the first and second book began to take on a much more nostalgic and beautiful feeling in my mind as i read this last one. it truly felt like every moment mentioned throughout the entire story began to matter deeply to me as i read the ending of the character's story arcs. everything that happened in this book was incredibly meaningful because it all mattered and it all made perfect sense. this would have probably been a perfect book if the narration had been more refined and some of the concepts hadn't been overexplained, and if novik hadn't tried to write a story from the perspective of a very british teenager as an american middle aged woman, because some of the words and slang used felt very forced, haha. but i didn't even mind it by the end! this story ended in such an insanely beautiful and moving way. it gave me literally everything i felt i wanted from these characters. i don't think i can say enough how wonderful it was to read this book. everything i do have to say is spoilers, so i won't say it here, because it's just so gratifying to read these books and watch the story unfold so lovingly firsthand!! power of love and friendship forever and ever. everything is always worth it. never give up. i love that we got two separate instances of the main character being bisexual. YES!!!!!!!!!!!!