Graded By: Stephanie
Cover Story: Let’s Play Dress Up
BFF Charm: Platinum
Swoonworthy Scale: 6
Talky Talk: Smorgasbord
Bonus Factors: Dinosaurs, Animal Friends, Ozorne’s Outfits, Daine Loses Her Temper
Relationship Status: BFFs
Scary with you is better than scary without you
Daine, Numair, and others are embarking on a journey to Carthak for the peace meetings involving Carthak, Tortall, and other regions. Daine tags along with the intention of examining the Emperor's sick birds. However, unbeknownst to them, the Emperor has no genuine plans for peace. Instead, he devises a scheme to utilize Daine in order to sabotage the peace talks. This sets the stage for an exciting and unpredictable adventure.
Another remarkable aspect of this story is the absence of a prominent romance. While I have a penchant for romance in general, I appreciate that this series doesn't solely revolve around it. Instead, it delves deeper into Daine's powers, her connection with animals, and the crucial task of preventing a war. The Graveyard Hag, in particular, is an extremely captivating character, adding an element of mystery and intrigue to the narrative. I'm aware that romance might make an appearance in the final book, but for now, I'm thoroughly enjoying the focus on other aspects of the story.
I really enjoyed this particular installment. It was, without a doubt, significantly more political compared to the others. While politics isn't always my most favored topic in books, I have to admit that I liked the way this one was developed. There was a moment that came about two-thirds of the way through that really took me by surprise and left me rather upset. However, in the end, the conclusion was satisfying. I'm eagerly looking forward to Daine's next adventure. As she continues to grow and mature, not only as a person but also in her powers, I'm excited to see what new challenges and experiences await her.