Queen Penelope demands respect, but is kind and fair. She is still the character we all fell in love with in the first book, but she has stepped into her new role flawlessly. There is always something important happening in this book, that feels important to the plot and character arcs. There were time in TCOGB where I felt underwhelmed, but I didn't get that in this book. It felt like Jennifer added enough in there for her fans to appreciate, but didn't pound us over the head with it. And while there are still jokes on Poppy's penchant for stabbing people, and insatiable curiosity, it's not overdone like it was in the last books. If there is any complaint I see on those books, its that. But I will admit that in AKOFAF and TCOGB, the whole stabby stabby, and Kieran's annoyance at Poppy's relentless questions was incredibly overdone. Jennifer took criticism for the last two books into account - or at least I think she did. I just love that everything is coming to a head, and I am so fucking stoked. I fucking LOVED ASITE (and I eagerly await the next book). And for Poppy, who spent her life not allowed to have any type of relationship with anyone, it's thrilling. And I feel now that its the same between Poppy and Kieran. Casteel's feelings for Kieran have been clear from the start. I have loved any scene in this series with the two of them, but this book, well, their bond had me gushing with happiness from the second chapter and throughout the book.

But the relationship I appreciated the most was her bond with Kieran.

And it has encompassed the drakon as well. Her complete respect and love for them makes their willingness to protect her feel good to me. Her bond with the wolven is still strong - stronger it seems. Poppy and her hold on the Atlantian people was stronger, but just because she is a goddess, doesn't mean she still doesn't have those who don't trust her. Poppy's feelings towards Isbeth were no longer clouded by the past. But it's their relationships with everyone that I loved - the good and bad. I love that we have got to a point where they know that the other loves them unconditionally. There is no question between Poppy and Casteel of their feelings for one another. The relationships between the characters are top notch. One of the things I love about this series, is that it's main character is a physically and emotionally strong woman, and I love that she gets better and better with each book. it felt like just the right amount of turmoil. It didn't feel like Poppy was obsessing over it, or disregarding her potential for total chaos. Her struggle with finding the balance with her almost limitless power, and the consequences of her power is a great inner battle. Poppy is a badass in the other books, but her power in this book.

The war that saved my life sequel