** spoiler alert ** I really appreciate Kaylin growing up in the year that has taken place since the first book timeline. She really needs it for this particular crisis and I loved the resolution of why there are magic words on her body and what a Chosen actually is.

There is still more to see, we haven't seen the Emperor yet and we haven't dealt with the Outcaste or the situation with Nightshade for that matter, but I did have the feeling of a major climax with this particular end-of-the-world situation and especially with addressing a lot of the background tension with Severn. Considering he rarely speaks about his emotions, the fact that he had to speak up this time was totally believable in the context of the development here.

I think it's the strongest entry in the series so far.
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A delight to read more closely the second time and learn even more about the make-up of the fief of Tiamaris and the Elemental Garden. I will ever be in team Severn.