I’ve waited 2 years for this book that I just devoured in 2 days and phew…that was a lot. This book is plot heavy.
I’m kinda sad that I’m just not invested in any of the relationships in this series the way I am in ACOTAR and TOG. Reading those two had me kicking my feet in the air and giggling but for CC I just find myself waiting for the other shoe to drop. I mean this is the third book (and it’s a conclusion?? maybe?? idk it feels like it but also some characters’ story lines are left open) but every time Bryce and Hunt were like “that’s my mate 😡” or “I love you 😍🤤” I’m just thinking “but are they??” and “but do you?? really??” Every Lidia and Ruhn scene i’m like…okay…i guess this is happening… Tharion and Sathia were interesting but that was there for 5 seconds. Flynn and Ariadne were just completely abandoned. I thought Ithan and Sigrid were maybe gonna be a thing but then wtf even happened to Sigrid? Like is that her whole story line? Is she gone? Then it hinted at Ithan and Perry but again are there gonna be more books in this series? Baxian is just there since Danika is dead and he has no purpose anymore.
Bryce was a little annoying in this one. All of her decisions were spontaneous, instinctual, and reckless but I’m supposed to believe she could create these devious plans within plans that outwitted an extra-immortal Big Bad who’s been in power for 15,000 years?? Sorry, I’m just not buying it.
I’ve come to accept that the final battle in any Sarah J Maas novel is going to be won way too easily with a main character who sacrifices themself but is brought back to life with the power of love. Plus there will never be anyone more important than a peripheral main character killed off. And you know what? I’m fine with thqt. That’s the perfect amount of stakes for my kind of romantasy.
The biggest thing I got out of this book is my anticipation for ACOTAR5. Nesta and Azriel have been set up for whatever is about to go down next and I am ready for it. Let’s get Azriel some love already!!!
I liked the crossover between ACOTAR and CC with the little TOG tie ins. I guess I was expecting Bryce to see a little more of Prythian but so much went on in this book it makes sense that was only a small part. The shifters being the fae from TOG was awesome. Lidia and Aelin are related, right? Also what was the Under King? Valg? It’s been so long since I read TOG but I thought the Valg were the Astari but idk.
Overall thoughts: This was exciting and fast-paced but the relationships and character development suffered due to how much was constantly happening. The logic for a lot of the decisions was shaky at best and all of the villains were defeated just a little too easily. Regardless, I had a good time reading it and it was a satisfying enough conclusion to this arc of CC.