“How do you forget someone who’s carved themselves into your bones?” 

 

I cried at that end. I didn’t think Joan He’s words could blow me away any further than it had before but they have, and this was a poignant and bittersweet conclusion to the Three Kingdoms duology. Somewhere in the middle, I wasn’t sure what path the plot was taking but it all came together in the end. This story was by no means mainly a love story, but the love story aspect of this was just an extra bonus that didn’t take away anything from the core message of the book. Zephyr herself isn’t meant to be the heroic player, she’s meant to mess up and do some unhinged shit. There are no ultimately good guys or bad guys but everyone is thoroughly complex and flawed. It was all so beautifully done, and has solidified Joan He as one of my favorite insta-read authors. 

*I got this as an arc from NetGalley. Thanks, NetGalley*

This book is best read back to back with Strike the Zither. It’s a direct continuation from book one—Zephyr must use her skills as a strategist to help her lordess Xin Ren win the war, but there are so many adversaries and betrayals and obstacles in the way.

This book kept me on the edge of my seat just like book one. I absolutely love Zephyr’s voice and sarcasm and humor as we read. It’s a great contrast to the dark and often gruesome war scenes of the book. There were some lines crossed that turned my stomach and I’m still not sure how I feel about them. Zephyr remains one of the coolest and smartest and wittiest main characters I’ve ever read, one of my absolute favorites.

Jaw-dropping twists, beautiful dialogue, epic action scenes—this is one of the most solid sequels I’ve read. I’m very satisfied with the way the story ended. This duology is unlike any YA fantasy I’ve ever read and deserves way more hype.