Yes, fine, I have a weakness for the Simon Torquill types, and so it is no surprise that the books prominently featuring Simon are some of my favorites in the series. But it's not just Simon himself, though he's a fascinating character with a heartbreaking backstory: it's the tangle of secrets and betrayals and family and the question of home that arise when his character arc intersects (or intertwines; I haven't decided which metaphor I like better here) with Toby's.

This follows very nicely from the previous book in which Simon features prominently, with recurring themes and motifs that emphasize how cycles are perpetuated before they're broken. I did predict the two major developments — (view spoiler) — but only right before they happen, more due to well-constructed foreshadowing than tired predictability. And, of course, it fits neatly into the greater trajectory of the series, tying off some loose threads and picking up others.