While I'm still in love with the series, I only got to like for this book. I wanted to, I really did, but some things didn't click for me.

First--Gag me with a spoon, did anyone buy the Kip/Tisis relationship? I didn't, didn't want to and found it way to awkwardly crowbarred into the overall storyline. I'm sorry, but I grimaced everytime that I remembered (because apparently Kip didn't) that Kip caught Tisis giving a handjob to his previously unknown father. Yuck, yuck, ptooey!

Second--Couldn't we have gotten Gavin to where he ended up a WHOLE LOT quicker? Suffering after suffering after suffering and no freaking time at all given to what really happened at and after Sundered Rock.

Other points. I keep forgetting that I've finished the book because of that lame last line. Next time I'll take a cliffhanger.

This felt like a last book that was about a half book too long so the publisher forced a split. Then Weeks had to come up with half a book of filler.

With all of that said, I did 'like' the book, I just didn't love it, nor do I feel that it is as strong as the others so far. My anticipation for the final book is as high as ever and I look forward to being able to read the entire series from start to finsh. ( )

Pretty good, thought this was going to be the final book. Glad it's continuing. ( )

Wat een heerlijke serie is het toch. Weer ontwikkelingen die ik niet zag aankomen, weer glimpsen van karakters die een ander licht schijnen op wie ze daadwerkelijk zijn, weer zonder het karakter geweld aan te doen. Mjum!

En nu is het wachten begonnen op deel 5. Zucht. ( )

Despite my slow plodding through this series, it's still highly compelling and interesting. I really appreciated the author's discussion of the troubles of intimacy among a young couple, which are all too real and awkward (this is something I almost never see reflected in fiction). The world building is excellent and I continue to be impressed by the depth of this world. Overall, a good fantasy read. ( )

This is the fourth book of the Lightbringer series, and, while not as fast paced as the previous books, it marches inexorably and steadily towards the final book. It sets the stage beautifully and does a good job of keeping you turning the pages.

Karris’s roll was finally fleshed out for me. While she seemed one-note in the other books, in this one she really came into her own as a strong, female leader.

You can take your pick of villains. The Color Prince and Liv are still predictable and a bit boring. But Andross and Zymun and especially The Order more than make up for that. The Chromeria and the world as a whole have never had so many adversaries as they do going into the last book.

Kip and his Mighty are still corny verging on cringey. Their banter reads like an after school sitcom. Thankfully this is more than made up for with Tisis and Kip’s relationship. She quickly rose to one of my favorite characters. Likewise, Kip seems to have fully matured. No longer a whiny, slightly annoying child. His story is fun to read and he becomes a relatable protagonist.

But Gavin! My heart still belongs to Gavin and I found myself reading his chapters with bated breath. Will anything ever go good for him?

Speaking of characters my heart belongs to, Teia carries the weight of the plot, in my opinion and I love everything about her. Relatably human and yet still hero, I found myself angry with her, sad with her, and proud of her in her victories. She’s a beautifully written and complex female character, something hard to find in epic fantasy novels. (I’m looking at you, Wheel of Time and even LOtR.)

Also, I feel Gunner deserves a note. His chapters brought quite a bit of amusement throughout the series.

This book sets the stage for the final installment very well and I was eager to go on to the next book and find out the fate of the world and all the characters I’d grown to love (or hate).

( )