When I heard this book was coming out, you can imagine my joy. If you can't imagine it, try picturing a 7 year old kid waking up to a snow day where you can sled and build forts all day long... Whee!!  But then, I found out the entire plot revolved around Choal.  Hmmm... not my absolute favorite character in the whole Maas world. So, I told myself: Self, give it a try. And believe you me, it was sledding and forts with hot chocolate at the end! New lands, new characters, new creatures, new mystery. It was glorious. Why did I ever doubt?

As always with Maas, there is a whole lot going on in this book. I know there are complaints that characters fall in and out of love in this series a bit too much, but this felt right.  No spoilers, but I am rooting for a whole host of new happily ever afters here. I seriously can't wait for the next installment.  Write faster, pretty please!

So, you know from the get go that Oliver is not a nice man. The opening line pretty much lays it out.

"I expected more of a reaction the first time I hit her."

But what made him snap? What did poor Alice do to deserve her fate? The multiple view points, presented as conversations or interviews with the characters, teases out Oliver's past. Nothing could condone his actions, but you end up wanting to really understand what drove him. The only person whose point of view you don't hear is Alice, which disappointed and intrigued me. What did she suspect, why did she stay so long?

I found the discussions about the Catholic Church, and how much power the church had over the every day life in Ireland during the decades between the 50's and 80's so fascinating. Whether directly or indirectly, the church influenced the actions of most all the characters.

Oliver knows there is something wrong with him. He'd made a life for himself that he didn't truly earn, and his secrets, as well as the secrets of his father, came back to haunt him. I read this book over the course of 24 hours, I didn't want to put it down! Highly recommend to everyone!

It's over... this is my happy/sad face, if you could actually see me.  I have enjoyed every book in this series, there hasn't been a false step in any of them.  I like that Ritter tied up a lot of loose ends in this, the last book, but still left a few things up to your imagination.  Does everyone live happily ever after?  Who knows, but at least they stand a fighting chance.  And speaking of fighting... lots of action in this installation.  Battles, fights, jumping and running.  Throw in a couple of love stories, and you have nearly the whole package.  If you are looking for a fun, supernatural, sarcastic and weirdly heartwarming story, here you go!  Well worth your reading time!

Super fun, light breezy read!  There is an automatic kinship, being a natural redhead.  People who didn't grow up with the hair, skin and freckles have no idea how much it affects your personality and outlook on life!  My daughter expresses her disappointment ever day, that she wasn't born with red hair.  She has the freckles, a light sprinkle across the nose, but tans like nobody's business.  I tell her she is lucky, but secretly I wouldn't give up being a ginger for anything!