It seems like most people either really didn’t like this book or absolutely loved it, but I thought it was just good. Not great. Good. Solid.

While it’s a huge accomplishment to write an 830 page that doesn’t ever really drag (obviously some parts are slower than others), I never got fully hooked in the story. My interest level stayed consistent the entire novel, which isn’t great since it should’ve increased as I read.

I absolutely loved the West crew (Ead, Sabran, Loth, Meg) and definitely found their storylines the most interesting. 

I loved Tane and her storyline but it feels like she got written out of the middle and didn’t actually get that much story dedicated to her which is weird considering what a large role she plays. Her final chapter was also very lackluster.

I was also disappointed that Tane did come from royal lineage because I loved that she was a common born who defied the odds to become a rider, but really her blood was just as privileged as the others, even if her upbringing was not.

I felt mostly neutral about Niclays and I don’t think his POV was necessary. It would’ve been better to get the info/lore we learned from the pirates through Tane’s time studying on Feather Island. 

Overall, really strong, complex, and likable characters.

The book doesn’t set itself up for a full sequel but I would LOVE a short story set 10 years later to see plot points that were alluded to at the end. I want to see

Ead and Sabran reunite after 10 years and see what came of Loth and the South princess and the fallout of Meg untraditionally running their House as the second born in his stead. Really just like an epilogue.