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i_read_whatI'm writing this review a day early because I am so fucking happy. This is IT, my friends. I am in the home stretch. This terrible book is almost OVER.
I'm not sure what I'll do with myself now that I'll no longer have a truly terrible book to criticize. But I know what I won't be doing! READING THIS BOOK!
The chapter starts off with our heroes being instantly surrounded by Solindish and Atvian troops who have just found their way into the castle. (And now I'm really wondering how those "wards" were supposed to have worked. Did they recognize Carillon as being Shaine's heir? Why am I asking this when I know the book is not going to explain?). Anyway, there's a big fight scene.
Alix has been through a lot in the last couple of chapters and she's not really doing well psychologically with all the fighting around her. A Solindish soldier almost gets through Carillon's guard only to get a royal knife (now Finn's) in the throat. They have an exchange, in which we see that Finn's new personality is firmly in effect:
The prince pushed himself upright and turned, staring fixedly at Finn. “Is this what it is to have a liege man?”
Finn, retrieving his new knife, grinned. “I am newly come to the service, my lord, but I know it is my task to keep you alive.” He paused significantly. “When you foolishly engage someone stronger than you.”
Carillon scowled at him, but Alix saw gratitude and dawning realization in his blue eyes. She nearly smiled to herself, pleased beyond measure that they could be in accordance after so much discord, but Duncan grabbed her arm and dragged her down the corridor.
Jeeze, you two. Get a room.
Duncan and Carillon have a brief disagreement: Duncan wants to leave, while Carillon doesn't want to give up the palace. Carillon, there's four of you, and Alix has no combat training. They're interrupted by more soldiers: Finn and Carillon fight back to back, while Duncan shoves Alix into a small ceremonial chamber. She protests his roughness, but he doesn't apologize because he's a dick. Worse, he yells at her when an Atvian stumbles into the room, commanding her to find a place to hide because he can't spare the time to watch out for her.
Hey, douchebag. None of this is her fault. Alix sees a big curtain surrounding a casement and hides behind it, leaving enough of a gap so that she can watch. Duncan kills the Atvian, but he's met by Keough and Thorne at the door of the room. Gosh, if only this confrontation could have been avoided if you had KILLED THEM WHEN YOU HAD THE CHANCE, DUNCAN.
Thorne stays back while Duncan and Keough fight. Unfortunately Keough is very good, and Duncan only has a knife. He gets his sword tip to Duncan's throat. Sadly, he's interrupted as a "ruddy wolf" attacks from behind the casement. Alix, of course, she takes him down hard. Thorne is about to attack the wolf, but Duncan shoves his knife in his chest. When Duncan examines Keough, he notes that he's dead. He calls Alix "Cheysula, and she turns back, clearly in shock:
The wolf-bitch blurred before his eyes and Alix moved to him, arms crossed slackly across her stomach as if to protect the child. “He would have slain you.”
“Aye, Alix.”
She blinked empty eyes. “I know you said I should not shapechange, cheysul, but you would have died. I think I would be like a lirless man if you died, and lose my very soul.”
“It was done out of fear and a wolf’s fierce protectiveness for its mate. I could not have asked for or expected different, child or no.”
“Then you are not angry with me?”
He put out his arms and took her to him, cradling her head against his shoulder. “I am not angry, small one.”
I hate that Alix has been made to feel ashamed of using her powers. I hate that Alix feels so dependent on Duncan that she feels like she'd lose her soul without him. I hate that Alix is so afraid of his anger. I just...I hate this so much. It's somehow even worse now that we're seeing the weird diplomatic marriage of Finn and Carillon actually work.
As they leave, Alix notes that Thorne is still alive. Duncan says that they have no time and Thorne will have to stay that way. Are you fucking serious, Duncan? He's on the ground with a knife in his chest. STAB HIM IN THE FUCKING THROAT. This is the definition of a recurring adversary. KILL HIM.
They rejoin the others. Alix and Finn have their own exchange:
Twice Duncan had to fend off Solindish soldiers and Alix shrieked once as a wounded Atvian rose from the floor. A thrown knife bearing Carillon’s royal crest quivered in the man’s back and she looked up to meet Finn’s eyes across the corridor.
“So, mei jha, you still trail after my rujho.”
Alix, faced with Finn’s obvious exhaustion and blood-smeared features, laughed at him. “Aye, I still do. And ever will.”
Finn smiled at her and retrieved the knife that was now his,
On one hand, it's good to see that Finn is moving on with his new love. On the other, I feel like this level of being comfortable with one another has not really been earned by the narrative. The most positive thing we've been able to say about Finn and his interactions with Alix in this last part of the book is "at least he's not Duncan."
They ask Finn if he's ready to leave:
Finn laughed shortly. “Though I hate leaving such work unfinished, I am more than ready. All we do here is die.” He sighed. “We will take Homana-Mujhar another time.”
“Carillon might not wish to go.”
“He will when I have told him. He may be my liege lord, but I have more sense.”
“Do you?” Alix demanded, grasping Duncan’s belt as they moved.
“Aye, mei jha, I do.”
“Well, rujho,” Duncan said, “perhaps you have gained some in the past months. You never had any before.”
Finn, affronted, followed them as Storr moved closely at his heels.
I hate that this is actually cute. Why haven't you been writing them like this all the time, Ms. Roberson? It would have been far easier to get invested in this story if the characters weren't complete douchebags.
So they find Carillon, who isn't happy with leaving the palace, but they're able to convince him that it's hopeless. He leads them outside, and they manage to avoid the troops along the way. Suddenly, the group stops short, face-to-face with a cloaked figure. It's Tynstar. He's here to gloat, and I hate to admit, stupid name aside, he does have a certain amount of style:
Tynstar smiled. “A tableau. I have before me the three men most responsible for attempting to ruin Bellam’s bid to take Homana.” His black eyes flickered. “And the woman.” He moved closer soundlessly, staring into her face. “Alix, I said you should remain insignificant. You have not heeded me.” She swallowed heavily and fought down the fear that threatened to turn her knees to water. The man who had been so kind and unassuming when first they met displayed his true colors to her at last, and she understood the magnitude of his dedication to his dark gods.
Tynstar smiled more broadly. “Shaine is dead. And Keough. Even Prince Thorne lies dying of a Cheysuli knife. You have accounted for a large toll, this night.” His voice dropped to a whisper. “But it is for naught.”
“Naught!” Carillon echoed.
“Aye. Bellam holds Homana-Mujhar. Homana is his.”
“Yours,” Alix said softly. “Homana is yours.”
The Ihlini smiled sweetly.
He suggests that Carillon leave now, claiming that Carillon means nothing to him. Bellam, he notes, will want to parade Carillon before his men but Tynstar doesn't see the point. He feels it will onnly make a man determined to have retribution, and points out what happened to the Cheysuli.
Carillon snaps back that the qu'mahlin is ended, (delighting Alix), and when he tries to attack Tynstar, he's stopped cold. Tynstar gloats:
“I hold your life, Shaine’s heir. I could crush your heart in my very hand, yet never touch you. I could steal the very breath from your lungs in an instant. I could make you blind, deaf and dumb with no more wits than a mewling infant.” His teeth gleamed in a terrifying smile. “But I will not.”
Why not? What is wrong with you people and leaving your enemies alive?!
We get another weird Roberson conversation in which the dialogue makes absolutely no sense:
“If you take his life, you must also take mine. Do you think I will stand by while you use your dark arts against my kinsman? I am of this House also, Ihlini!”
Tynstar lifted a gloved hand as if in benediction. Another shudder wracked Carillon’s body and Alix sucked in a frightened breath.
“I can harm none of you with my arts,” Tynstar said calmly, “and my strength is lessened within your presence. But there is enough left to me. Carillon is solely within my care. Speak again, Lindir’s daughter, and see the result.”
“You cannot touch me, Ihlini,” she whispered. “My own magic is stronger than any other Cheysuli’s. I have only to show you my wolf’s fangs, and you will die as Keough did, of fear alone.”
Tynstar’s eyes narrowed. “It is true, then, that Lindir gifted you with the Old Blood of this land.” He smiled and shrugged. “Well, I can wait. Time is nothing to a man who is already three centuries old.”
1) Alix, why do you think that's a deterrent, he's not going to mind killing you too.
2) And her boast about her magic makes no sense, Tynstar wasn't threatening HER. He had JUST SAID his magic couldn't touch her. He's threatening CARILLON.
3) Hey, Tynstar, if you just killed Carillon here, the series would be over. He's kind of a necessary part of this whole prophecy thing. You could literally win RIGHT NOW.
But he's gone. And now the epilogue.
The characters ride back to the keep. Carillon says nothing, but Alix knows he's not given in to depression. He accepts Duncan's invitation to stay in his pavilion. Then, six days later, he tells them his decision. Alix doesn't like it.
Basically, he believes Bellam is going to keep hunting him. He doesn't want the Cheysuli to die because "the Mujhar's heir shelters in their Keep." Finn interjects quietly to correct him with, "You are the Mujhar."
We actually get an acknowledgement of Finn's personality shift, as Alix thinks about "the odd calmness she had come to acknowledge in him". It makes me even more infuriated all over again. If Roberson had written Finn as the hot-headed rogue that she seems to think she wrote, as opposed to a rapist, this would be a powerful demonstration of what it means to finally accept one's tahlmorra and the peace and certainty it brings.
Instead, we might as well be looking at a straight out demonic possession or something because whoever this is, it is NOT the Finn from earlier in the book. Good riddance. Demon Finn can stay.
Anyway, Carillon dismisses Finn's words, stating that Bellam can claim to be Mujhar now. Duncan breaks in by saying that Homana knows it's false. Yes, but Homana is defeated. And it's going to be a long time before they can take it back.
There's a lot of really good character work here, I have to admit. Finn's calm, casual assurance that Carillon will take back Homana-Mujhar. Carillon's humbled practicality. Alix's quiet observations. We get some nice symbolism as their scars are acknowledged: Carillon, the deposed king, with the scars from his Atvian chains on his wrists. Duncan, clan-leader of the Cheysuli, with his lashed throat and ruined voice.
Anyway, Carillon notes that the Cheysuli are safe in Ellas. He intends to "fade into the land for a time". He won't risk another Cheysuli life until it benefits everyone.
...I'm not really sure how that's any safer for the Cheysuli than just staying in the Keep. But I do appreciate the sentiment, and you've had the closest thing this wretched book has to a growth arc, so I'll allow it. He gives a sweet speech to Alix, acknowledging the truths she tried to tell him about the qu'mahlin and apologizing for denying it and her. He tells her: "You have been truer to your blood than I could ever hope."
So now it's time for the goodbyes. Finn's to Alix is actually...almost sweet?
He shook his head and released her hand. “I have a horse. And, I believe, a shapechanger sworn to be the Mujhar’s liege man. Like his father.”
Finn rose and grinned into Alix’s stricken face. “There, mei jha, you rid yourself of me at last.”
She said nothing, unable to speak past the pain closing her throat.
Finn looked at Duncan. “Rujho, care for your cheysula. She is not one to be treated lightly.”
Duncan, for his part, gives Carillon a black war bow. Finn will show him how to use it. Carillon protests that only a Cheysuli may use a Cheysuli bow, but Duncan says that Traditions change.
They watch them leave. Alix is incredibly sad and I'm a little irked:
Alix watched in mute pain as Finn followed Carillon, silver wolf flanking him. She was hardly aware of Duncan’s hands settling at her hips, pulling her close against him. She was conscious only of the deep anguish and regret swelling in her breast.
“They will be well, cheysula.”
“Why must they both go?”
He laughed softly. “Have you not longed for Finn’s absence from your life?”
She swallowed. “I have…grown accustomed to him. That is all.”
Look, I did say the goodbye was sweet. But this sentiment is not remotely earned. For all of book one and book two, Finn was threatening Alix with rape and forced marriage. She was terrified of him and hated him for damn good reason. He did back off a bit in book three, once she and Duncan were married, and even had some moments where he looked like the better option than Duncan (given that he was amused rather than angry at her initative), but that doesn't actually make a relationship.
Alix and Finn are half siblings. That could have been developed into a really interesting relationship: they're both the children of the man whose actions led to the qu'mahlin. Those actions destroyed Finn's life and (eventually) led to Alix's birth. That's worth exploring. But Roberson never did.
I'm not even sure what the point of their sibling relationship was! Finn doesn't treat Alix like a sister and Alix doesn't see him as a brother. Their sibling relationship wasn't going to stop Alix from being forced into marriage to him. It's utterly meaningless, except for that confrontation with Shaine at the end.
So we close out with Alix and Duncan talking about Carillon's tahlmorra. Because why would we want to follow up with anything about Alix's own life with the Cheysuli, her son, her role as captive, mistress, wife and warrior. Nope. We're going to focus on Carillon now. Alix's significance to the series is officially over.
But so is the book. THANK FUCKING GOD.
I'm not sure what I'll do with myself now that I'll no longer have a truly terrible book to criticize. But I know what I won't be doing! READING THIS BOOK!
The chapter starts off with our heroes being instantly surrounded by Solindish and Atvian troops who have just found their way into the castle. (And now I'm really wondering how those "wards" were supposed to have worked. Did they recognize Carillon as being Shaine's heir? Why am I asking this when I know the book is not going to explain?). Anyway, there's a big fight scene.
Alix has been through a lot in the last couple of chapters and she's not really doing well psychologically with all the fighting around her. A Solindish soldier almost gets through Carillon's guard only to get a royal knife (now Finn's) in the throat. They have an exchange, in which we see that Finn's new personality is firmly in effect:
The prince pushed himself upright and turned, staring fixedly at Finn. “Is this what it is to have a liege man?”
Finn, retrieving his new knife, grinned. “I am newly come to the service, my lord, but I know it is my task to keep you alive.” He paused significantly. “When you foolishly engage someone stronger than you.”
Carillon scowled at him, but Alix saw gratitude and dawning realization in his blue eyes. She nearly smiled to herself, pleased beyond measure that they could be in accordance after so much discord, but Duncan grabbed her arm and dragged her down the corridor.
Jeeze, you two. Get a room.
Duncan and Carillon have a brief disagreement: Duncan wants to leave, while Carillon doesn't want to give up the palace. Carillon, there's four of you, and Alix has no combat training. They're interrupted by more soldiers: Finn and Carillon fight back to back, while Duncan shoves Alix into a small ceremonial chamber. She protests his roughness, but he doesn't apologize because he's a dick. Worse, he yells at her when an Atvian stumbles into the room, commanding her to find a place to hide because he can't spare the time to watch out for her.
Hey, douchebag. None of this is her fault. Alix sees a big curtain surrounding a casement and hides behind it, leaving enough of a gap so that she can watch. Duncan kills the Atvian, but he's met by Keough and Thorne at the door of the room. Gosh, if only this confrontation could have been avoided if you had KILLED THEM WHEN YOU HAD THE CHANCE, DUNCAN.
Thorne stays back while Duncan and Keough fight. Unfortunately Keough is very good, and Duncan only has a knife. He gets his sword tip to Duncan's throat. Sadly, he's interrupted as a "ruddy wolf" attacks from behind the casement. Alix, of course, she takes him down hard. Thorne is about to attack the wolf, but Duncan shoves his knife in his chest. When Duncan examines Keough, he notes that he's dead. He calls Alix "Cheysula, and she turns back, clearly in shock:
The wolf-bitch blurred before his eyes and Alix moved to him, arms crossed slackly across her stomach as if to protect the child. “He would have slain you.”
“Aye, Alix.”
She blinked empty eyes. “I know you said I should not shapechange, cheysul, but you would have died. I think I would be like a lirless man if you died, and lose my very soul.”
“It was done out of fear and a wolf’s fierce protectiveness for its mate. I could not have asked for or expected different, child or no.”
“Then you are not angry with me?”
He put out his arms and took her to him, cradling her head against his shoulder. “I am not angry, small one.”
I hate that Alix has been made to feel ashamed of using her powers. I hate that Alix feels so dependent on Duncan that she feels like she'd lose her soul without him. I hate that Alix is so afraid of his anger. I just...I hate this so much. It's somehow even worse now that we're seeing the weird diplomatic marriage of Finn and Carillon actually work.
As they leave, Alix notes that Thorne is still alive. Duncan says that they have no time and Thorne will have to stay that way. Are you fucking serious, Duncan? He's on the ground with a knife in his chest. STAB HIM IN THE FUCKING THROAT. This is the definition of a recurring adversary. KILL HIM.
They rejoin the others. Alix and Finn have their own exchange:
Twice Duncan had to fend off Solindish soldiers and Alix shrieked once as a wounded Atvian rose from the floor. A thrown knife bearing Carillon’s royal crest quivered in the man’s back and she looked up to meet Finn’s eyes across the corridor.
“So, mei jha, you still trail after my rujho.”
Alix, faced with Finn’s obvious exhaustion and blood-smeared features, laughed at him. “Aye, I still do. And ever will.”
Finn smiled at her and retrieved the knife that was now his,
On one hand, it's good to see that Finn is moving on with his new love. On the other, I feel like this level of being comfortable with one another has not really been earned by the narrative. The most positive thing we've been able to say about Finn and his interactions with Alix in this last part of the book is "at least he's not Duncan."
They ask Finn if he's ready to leave:
Finn laughed shortly. “Though I hate leaving such work unfinished, I am more than ready. All we do here is die.” He sighed. “We will take Homana-Mujhar another time.”
“Carillon might not wish to go.”
“He will when I have told him. He may be my liege lord, but I have more sense.”
“Do you?” Alix demanded, grasping Duncan’s belt as they moved.
“Aye, mei jha, I do.”
“Well, rujho,” Duncan said, “perhaps you have gained some in the past months. You never had any before.”
Finn, affronted, followed them as Storr moved closely at his heels.
I hate that this is actually cute. Why haven't you been writing them like this all the time, Ms. Roberson? It would have been far easier to get invested in this story if the characters weren't complete douchebags.
So they find Carillon, who isn't happy with leaving the palace, but they're able to convince him that it's hopeless. He leads them outside, and they manage to avoid the troops along the way. Suddenly, the group stops short, face-to-face with a cloaked figure. It's Tynstar. He's here to gloat, and I hate to admit, stupid name aside, he does have a certain amount of style:
Tynstar smiled. “A tableau. I have before me the three men most responsible for attempting to ruin Bellam’s bid to take Homana.” His black eyes flickered. “And the woman.” He moved closer soundlessly, staring into her face. “Alix, I said you should remain insignificant. You have not heeded me.” She swallowed heavily and fought down the fear that threatened to turn her knees to water. The man who had been so kind and unassuming when first they met displayed his true colors to her at last, and she understood the magnitude of his dedication to his dark gods.
Tynstar smiled more broadly. “Shaine is dead. And Keough. Even Prince Thorne lies dying of a Cheysuli knife. You have accounted for a large toll, this night.” His voice dropped to a whisper. “But it is for naught.”
“Naught!” Carillon echoed.
“Aye. Bellam holds Homana-Mujhar. Homana is his.”
“Yours,” Alix said softly. “Homana is yours.”
The Ihlini smiled sweetly.
He suggests that Carillon leave now, claiming that Carillon means nothing to him. Bellam, he notes, will want to parade Carillon before his men but Tynstar doesn't see the point. He feels it will onnly make a man determined to have retribution, and points out what happened to the Cheysuli.
Carillon snaps back that the qu'mahlin is ended, (delighting Alix), and when he tries to attack Tynstar, he's stopped cold. Tynstar gloats:
“I hold your life, Shaine’s heir. I could crush your heart in my very hand, yet never touch you. I could steal the very breath from your lungs in an instant. I could make you blind, deaf and dumb with no more wits than a mewling infant.” His teeth gleamed in a terrifying smile. “But I will not.”
Why not? What is wrong with you people and leaving your enemies alive?!
We get another weird Roberson conversation in which the dialogue makes absolutely no sense:
“If you take his life, you must also take mine. Do you think I will stand by while you use your dark arts against my kinsman? I am of this House also, Ihlini!”
Tynstar lifted a gloved hand as if in benediction. Another shudder wracked Carillon’s body and Alix sucked in a frightened breath.
“I can harm none of you with my arts,” Tynstar said calmly, “and my strength is lessened within your presence. But there is enough left to me. Carillon is solely within my care. Speak again, Lindir’s daughter, and see the result.”
“You cannot touch me, Ihlini,” she whispered. “My own magic is stronger than any other Cheysuli’s. I have only to show you my wolf’s fangs, and you will die as Keough did, of fear alone.”
Tynstar’s eyes narrowed. “It is true, then, that Lindir gifted you with the Old Blood of this land.” He smiled and shrugged. “Well, I can wait. Time is nothing to a man who is already three centuries old.”
1) Alix, why do you think that's a deterrent, he's not going to mind killing you too.
2) And her boast about her magic makes no sense, Tynstar wasn't threatening HER. He had JUST SAID his magic couldn't touch her. He's threatening CARILLON.
3) Hey, Tynstar, if you just killed Carillon here, the series would be over. He's kind of a necessary part of this whole prophecy thing. You could literally win RIGHT NOW.
But he's gone. And now the epilogue.
The characters ride back to the keep. Carillon says nothing, but Alix knows he's not given in to depression. He accepts Duncan's invitation to stay in his pavilion. Then, six days later, he tells them his decision. Alix doesn't like it.
Basically, he believes Bellam is going to keep hunting him. He doesn't want the Cheysuli to die because "the Mujhar's heir shelters in their Keep." Finn interjects quietly to correct him with, "You are the Mujhar."
We actually get an acknowledgement of Finn's personality shift, as Alix thinks about "the odd calmness she had come to acknowledge in him". It makes me even more infuriated all over again. If Roberson had written Finn as the hot-headed rogue that she seems to think she wrote, as opposed to a rapist, this would be a powerful demonstration of what it means to finally accept one's tahlmorra and the peace and certainty it brings.
Instead, we might as well be looking at a straight out demonic possession or something because whoever this is, it is NOT the Finn from earlier in the book. Good riddance. Demon Finn can stay.
Anyway, Carillon dismisses Finn's words, stating that Bellam can claim to be Mujhar now. Duncan breaks in by saying that Homana knows it's false. Yes, but Homana is defeated. And it's going to be a long time before they can take it back.
There's a lot of really good character work here, I have to admit. Finn's calm, casual assurance that Carillon will take back Homana-Mujhar. Carillon's humbled practicality. Alix's quiet observations. We get some nice symbolism as their scars are acknowledged: Carillon, the deposed king, with the scars from his Atvian chains on his wrists. Duncan, clan-leader of the Cheysuli, with his lashed throat and ruined voice.
Anyway, Carillon notes that the Cheysuli are safe in Ellas. He intends to "fade into the land for a time". He won't risk another Cheysuli life until it benefits everyone.
...I'm not really sure how that's any safer for the Cheysuli than just staying in the Keep. But I do appreciate the sentiment, and you've had the closest thing this wretched book has to a growth arc, so I'll allow it. He gives a sweet speech to Alix, acknowledging the truths she tried to tell him about the qu'mahlin and apologizing for denying it and her. He tells her: "You have been truer to your blood than I could ever hope."
So now it's time for the goodbyes. Finn's to Alix is actually...almost sweet?
He shook his head and released her hand. “I have a horse. And, I believe, a shapechanger sworn to be the Mujhar’s liege man. Like his father.”
Finn rose and grinned into Alix’s stricken face. “There, mei jha, you rid yourself of me at last.”
She said nothing, unable to speak past the pain closing her throat.
Finn looked at Duncan. “Rujho, care for your cheysula. She is not one to be treated lightly.”
Duncan, for his part, gives Carillon a black war bow. Finn will show him how to use it. Carillon protests that only a Cheysuli may use a Cheysuli bow, but Duncan says that Traditions change.
They watch them leave. Alix is incredibly sad and I'm a little irked:
Alix watched in mute pain as Finn followed Carillon, silver wolf flanking him. She was hardly aware of Duncan’s hands settling at her hips, pulling her close against him. She was conscious only of the deep anguish and regret swelling in her breast.
“They will be well, cheysula.”
“Why must they both go?”
He laughed softly. “Have you not longed for Finn’s absence from your life?”
She swallowed. “I have…grown accustomed to him. That is all.”
Look, I did say the goodbye was sweet. But this sentiment is not remotely earned. For all of book one and book two, Finn was threatening Alix with rape and forced marriage. She was terrified of him and hated him for damn good reason. He did back off a bit in book three, once she and Duncan were married, and even had some moments where he looked like the better option than Duncan (given that he was amused rather than angry at her initative), but that doesn't actually make a relationship.
Alix and Finn are half siblings. That could have been developed into a really interesting relationship: they're both the children of the man whose actions led to the qu'mahlin. Those actions destroyed Finn's life and (eventually) led to Alix's birth. That's worth exploring. But Roberson never did.
I'm not even sure what the point of their sibling relationship was! Finn doesn't treat Alix like a sister and Alix doesn't see him as a brother. Their sibling relationship wasn't going to stop Alix from being forced into marriage to him. It's utterly meaningless, except for that confrontation with Shaine at the end.
So we close out with Alix and Duncan talking about Carillon's tahlmorra. Because why would we want to follow up with anything about Alix's own life with the Cheysuli, her son, her role as captive, mistress, wife and warrior. Nope. We're going to focus on Carillon now. Alix's significance to the series is officially over.
But so is the book. THANK FUCKING GOD.
no subject
Date: 2020-02-23 11:46 pm (UTC)HURRAH
Poor Alix :(
no subject
Date: 2020-02-23 11:49 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2024-09-12 10:50 am (UTC)Velriset: Last chapter~!
Did these soldiers simply spawn in the castle or something?
Wow, Alix took out the leader of an enemy kingdom! Where did that come from?
Yes, I hate how she is treated here, too, and how "reasonable" Duncan is supposed to be.
Duncan says that they have no time and Thorne will have to stay that way.
You could pull out the knife, at least!
Yes, Tynstar does have style, I will give him that. I do hope he will have more appearances in further books?
So... Tynstar decides to leave them alone because he wants to kidnap Alix's children instead, because they will have the Old Blood? THat is what I get from this, at least. It should probably be clearer, though.
Oh yes, Carillon has grown quite a bit!!
It is the ending to the book Roberson thought she wrote, probably.
Well, then next book will be about Carillon. I am just glad it is over!!