I received this book for free from Reviewer Purchase in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Soldier. Summoner. Saint.The nation’s fate rests with a broken Sun Summoner, a disgraced tracker, and the shattered remnants of a once-great magical army.

The Darkling rules from his shadow throne while a weakened Alina Starkov recovers from their battle under the dubious protection of the zealots who worship her as a Saint. Now her hopes lie with the magic of a long-vanished ancient creature and the chance that an outlaw prince still survives.

As her allies and enemies race toward war, only Alina stands between her country and a rising tide of darkness that could destroy the world. To win this fight, she must seize a legend’s power―but claiming the firebird may be her ruin.

Short and Sweet

Everything that Alina has been through has lead to this, one final battle to end it all. Alina and her group are underground with the Apparat but they know at some point they’re going to have to go above ground and face The Darkling, they also know that they need to assemble stronger forces if they’re even going to have a chance. Alina and Mal also know that they need to find the Firebird, the third amplifier.

Alina was weakened after her last battle with The Darkling, and now she’s underground, where her powers don’t work. Alina just wants to be above ground continuing with trying to find ways to defeat The Darkling. We learn a lot in this book and some of the revelations are surprising. Alina also has to wrestle with the idea of having a third amplifier and how it could affect her in the end. The Darkling and Alina have a stronger connection and trying to make him see reason is useless. I love the bonds that Alina forms with the other Grisha on her team and the relationship between her and Mal. I also really love Nikolai he’s amazing and he deserves the best in life.

I love this series and this conclusion will take you on a rollercoaster of emotions. I’m excited to read more of Leigh Bardugo’s books!