The final chapter in Alina's and Mal's story grabbed me by the throat and didn't let go until the last beat of that perfect ending. I fell head over heels in love with the mythology and characters in book one of this series. Book two wasn't as strong for me and I picked up this story with some trepidation. But like all great storytellers, Bardugo gave me exactly what I needed. She broke my heart, she lifted me high with joy and when I shut the cover on this world, I was so profoundly happy to have gotten to be a part of it.