I was so thrilled to receive an arc of this fourth installment from Elise and I will say I did have my issues with it, a little more so than the last installment, but overall I did enjoy it and I think this is one of those installments that simply lead you into the next, especially since the next book will be the final in the series.
I missed Vi and her impossible mission to be the champion of Yargen. I missed the world, and the magic, and the story.
I will say that I regret not reading the Golden Guard trilogy before hand, simply because some of the honorable mentions in this installment would have meant so much more to me had I read those, so I recommend it if you haven’t read this yet.
Spoilery bits...
So first and foremost, the last installment left off with Vi going through time. A HUGE slap in the face. I honestly was shaken by all that had happened in that last installment, and so I had no clue where this one was going to take us.
Needless to say there were some sick revelations to start us off. Vi having gone through this vortex 93 times? Holy crap. Taavin having to witness each one, and how they ultimately failed? Deep. Vi being REBORN into this new world where her grandparents are just about to get together, meaning though, that her old world doesn’t exist anymore. Holy crap. All of the story we knew... the first series, the Golden Guard—it doesn’t exist anymore!! My god, that pushed me right off of the cliff and into Satans hands. I am still dead.
I think when Vi finally got in good with Fiera, the journey fell a little flat for me. Vi was kind of on the sidelines a lot. A mysterious traveler that Fiera kept around because there was something about her that was worth trusting. There was mostly conversation and not a lot going on. Vi was simply getting the crystal sword, which was fine, but it made the journey feel kind of slow in comparison with the last three installments.
One thing I’m still trying to remind myself is that the romance isn’t as prevalent in this series as it was in the last and so it doesn’t happen as often, or play a huge role. The one thing though, is that there IS a romance. Vi and Taavin have something, and they have been kept apart for so long. So I was hoping in this fourth installment that they would find a way to be closer—despite the fact that she killed him a 93rd time, trapping him in her watch.
To me it felt like they had taken a step backwards. Mostly because Taavin felt different. After revealing that he has watched her fail 93 times, he doubts her more often than he did in the past. Where as in the past he was much more supportive, and kind. Now he doubts everything Vi has planned.
As a whole, they felt...distant, different. And I want them to be how they were when they finally met and grew comfortable around each other. I want them to be straightforward with each other (as this is something that hasn’t fully happened yet). I want them to just BE together, and have some happiness besides the chaos. They had a few very small moments in this installment, but I wouldn’t mind some more...with Taavin being a solid form. Let’s fashion him a crystal bracelet so they can make love 😂.
ANYWAYS, back to the actual plot. As I said in the beginning, this felt like a bridge. A bridge into an epic finale. Especially with Vi’s last plan to save everyone. I feel like this entire installment holds importance for that reason. For her to let Raspien out and end him when he is solid and actually present. I’m excited to see how it all unfolds.
I do think there are a few things I want to see though:
Vi and Taavin having their true romantic moment.
Vi seeing Aldrick and Vhalla again
More background on the whole time jumping situation.
More info about Yargen and that jazz
Aaaand that’s all I can think of for now.
But once again, overall I did enjoy this installment. 🖤. I am dying for that ending.