** spoiler alert ** If there was a 4.5 stars, this book would be it. I can't justify 5 stars because then it would be in competition with some of my favorite books of all time, and it's not QUITE there.

I think this book is an excellent example of character development. Not only do we see the improvement of the main character, but we see continued progression in characters from previous books. I had no idea I loved Razo as much as I do. In previous books, he was just the comic relief. Truthfully, I think he's portrayed that way because that's how all the other characters see him, including in River Secrets. But there's so much more depth to Razo than we've ever seen before. Who knew Bettin broke his heart as badly as she did? Who knew he had a photographic memory? And by the end of the book, I loved him even more for the man he'd become. I really liked Dasha as well. I never once thought that she was evil, and I think that's because I saw her through Razo's eyes, and he never doubted her.

Last night, at 11:11 pm, I kissed all my fingers and wished that Shannon Hale could write more books, faster. And that I'll die before she quits. I love her! She is a very serious contender for my favorite (living) author!