What a massive letdown at the end. This is the third book in a trilogy. The first book was just ok, the second book was just ok. But this book was actually more than ok. I was getting excited at the prospect that all the time invested in the first two books would finally pay off in this pretty good third. But then it ends in the most limp dick way imaginable. Holy shit.

Now I have to say, retroactively, that this series is not worth the read. Sure, there are some decent moments here and there. But the author doesn't know how to write a story arc to save his life. His stories are a string of events that build up anticipation to big payoffs. Until you get to the second half of the books and realize that all the latter events have pretty much no relevance to the former events.

Why did this event or that event happen? For vague world building reasons that he only insinuates at. It feels like there's a whole bunch of meaning and context that he never gives the reader. Which is ironic, because characters often go on these lofty world building tangents. Yet, all of the information that we truly need, we don't get.

At the end of the third book, it ends with some kind of major implication for the world. Except it was never spelled out what the implication was. So it's like nothing concluded at all. I *suppose* that it's one of those things where when you re-read the series, you're supposed to catch all these signs and clues. But somehow I doubt it's really that deep. Ultimately, I got nothing out of the ending. Making me feel like I wasted my time.

Not recommended.