This is a beautiful trilogy.

Sandis is a vessel who can summon magical numens into her own body. (Numens are magical demon-like figures from the ethereal plane, but you learn a lot more about them in this book.) She has escaped her abusive captor, and has spent a lot of time trying to find her family and figure out what to do next. In this third book, a terrifying and destructive numen Kolosos has been set on the city, and she has to figure out a way to save herself and her friends. All of my favorites were in danger, and I moved all of my plans until I finished this book.

The magic system in this world feels fresh and different, and Charlie Holmberg does a great job building a rich, believable universe. It was elegant and simply done. I love the connection to the deeper lore / societal history, I loved the feeling that I was discovering more about Dresberg as the characters did.

I got attached to the characters almost immediately. Sandis is a sweet, pure soul, and completely strong beyond her years. She's sometimes frustratingly naive but in a way that only makes her more endearing. Rone is complicated and wonderful, and a teen heart throb if I ever saw one. I will most likely ship them forever.

The relationships in this book are wonderful- not only is there an absolutely sweet romantic relationship to root for, but there are many other important emotional nonromantic relationships that give the characters great depth. The question keeps coming up - what wouldn't you do for your family? And many of the characters have to keep going through that internal struggle. Side note: I absolutely love the relationship between Ireth and Sandis, it's so sweet and unusual. I love that in the depths of this character's trauma, she finds something beautiful on the other side.

There was a great balance between lovely, sun-speckled moments and moments where I was absolutely terrified for the characters I had grown so attached to.

My only complaint - I felt like it moved too quickly at times. There is so much potential to this world and these characters, and it felt like a lot of the plot points moved at breakneck speed. This third book could have easily been two books on its own, if not more.

This is a great book, world, set of characters, and series. It's a quick read that you will definitely enjoy.

I have enjoyed Sandis and Rone’s story since the beginning and I couldn’t have asked for a better last book to a great series. It was a quick read because there was always so much going on I didn’t want to set it down! It’s hard to pick a favorite book by Charlie N Holmberg but this may be it!