I have only a few automatic buy authors, and Ali Hazelwood is one of them. I will admit I was late to her fan club, only discovering her books in July 2023, but I've been hooked ever since. Her unique way of combining women in STEM with swoon worthy MMCs is unlike anything else on the shelves, and I can't get enough. So of course, I bought her latest the moment it hit shelves. And while I enjoyed it, it didn't live up to the rest.
One of the things I love about Hazelwood's books is the women in STEM....infusing science heavily into the plots, with the romance happening around it. Her FMCs are relatable (even if they're a million times smarter than me) and the science gives an original twist. But this book felt too light on the science, too heavy on the smut. And while I do enjoy smut (I read SJM, after all) it felt almost 50 Shades-esque and at times detracted from the true development of the story. 
Rue was flat and hard to relate to, while Eli was a bit of a simp...and not even in the endearing way. He fell too hard too fast with no understanding why, since Rue was so unlikable. I enjoyed the BFF character Tisha and the sassy sister more than I did the actual main character.
Overall, it was okay. Not her best, but not terrible either.

This one has been in my TBR for ages, and when I finally grabbed a copy I was excited to get started. I love anything dark academia, with boarding schools, secret societies and all that jazz. This one had all of what I was looking for, with a Ninth House meets The Missing Sister vibes, but didn't give me the chills I was hoping for.
Overall, the characters were good. Maren has solid stakes in trying to find out what happened to her best friend Polly, and is the type of strong female character I like to read. But I didn't connect with her as much as I liked. She lacked depth, her entire world focused around the society and her mission. I would have liked to see more of her life outside the society, what SHE had to loose other than the answers she was seeking. The side characters were good, but much of the same. Not fleshed out enough to make you truly connect and root for them. Gavin and Jordan felt superfluous, just there to round things out. Especially Jordan...I felt like Maren only paid attention to her when she needed something which left a sour taste for me. 
The trials and the society were fun. Very culty, which is what I wanted. That crazy darkness that some elite schools are haunted by. But even here, it didn't reach a full five stars, as the trials felt unrealistic, too much happening in the catacombs in overly controlled situations. 
It was a fun read, for sure, but didn't live up to my hopes to earn a higher rating.

As I worked my way through the Throne of Glass series, I saw countless posts saying Kingdom of Ash was the best, and most tragic. I was excited and nervous to start this one because of that, and have to say those comments were right.
Anyone who has read anything by SJM knows that there are so many plot threads it at times feels impossible to tie them all off. Some main, some secondary, and some seem so irrelevant they don't even catch your attention until that 'aha' moment. But SJM is a master at closing those threads, and that is definitely what happened here. 
The start was sad and emotional as Aelin faces her fate (that begins at the end of Tower of Dawn) and you see the strong willed woman start to crumble. But not only that, her journey to put herself back together was masterfully done, weaving her natural swagger with the PTSD she faces. All the side characters have well thought out, significant and emotional plot lines of their own, and no matter what POV you're reading, you are invested. It is rare for every chapter to captivate, to be action packed and emotionally driven, but this book does that from start to finish.
The ending was not what I was expecting, but was perfect. The way those side characters are truly vital to the story is unique and truly show that the characters are all connected to the main plot line. 
Overall, the perfect ending to an incredible series. Even if I did cry more than once.