I read a lot of mixed reviews about this one that made me hesitant to start it. I love this series and I don’t want anything to, you know…ruin it for me. The most common complaint I read about it was that Nightshade (one of the characters with ambiguous feelings for Kaylin) was less than present. I think people need to understand that this series? It’s not one with romance as the primary plot. Sure, romance is sprinkled here and there to spice things up and keep them interesting but that is not the most important goal of the book. At least from my perspective. And yeah, I’d like to see Kaylin’s relationship with Nightshade being explored more because he’s just so darned intriguing and I would have been ticked off if Ms. West had intentionally kept Nightshade out of the situation. However, as things happened, we don’t really have need for Nightshade in this instance. In fact, he can’t leave the fief and come across the bridge for the long period that would have been required.Anyway, that aside, let me just say that I loved this latest installment. I wasn’t too pleased with the last book and I had been scared that it signified the downward spiral of the series but this one put my fears to rest. It is just so darned fun to read a book that delivers all that it promises to. I am so tired of being disappointed by interesting synopses and intriguing tidbits not delivering. Kaylin is still Kaylin: brash, loud and mired with issues. But she shows definite development in character with each consecutive book and this makes her a pleasure to read. Her trusty sidekick and the guy who’s in love with her, Severn, if I remember correctly, remains the most under-developed character in the book. Or maybe I’m just biased against him. In this book, we see some sort of progress in Kaylin and Severn’s relationship – or at least from his side. He tells her he loves her but she notably does not verbalize a reciprocating sentiment. The problem I have with Severn (forgive me if I have his name wrong) is that he’s boring. Untiring devotion (with copious amounts of tough love) is awesome and all but if Ms. West wants me to see him as a potential love interest, I’m going to have to see something different. If she can make him as interesting as Nightshade, well…I’m his.The Dragons remain awesome. I hope Kaylin meets the emperor soon. I predict major fail on her part. Let’s just hope she doesn’t get roasted. This book also delves a bit into Kaylin’s scars and the memories of her sexual assault. I predict lots of future angst. :The story itself was grand, you guys. As I was saying before, I love it when books deliver and this one delivered oh so good. The intricacy, the complexity, the layers, the action – it was all fantastic. I remain a happy fangirl. If you don’t read the series, you will have no idea what I’m blissed out about. If you like urban fantasy, you should give this one a try. It’s awesome sauce.
