Berls
Written on Oct 29, 2021
This book starts very intensely and with lots of action. I was immediately gripped. I think it helps that I'm already very attached to both of these characters, which only intensified as the book progressed. Aiden is such a complex character, such an amazing leader, and I love that he's clearly never been silent yet appeared fiercely so. I most love the way Aiden refuses to give up on Zaira. Zaira has so many issues from her childhood that make her feel that she cannot leave silence and Aiden won't give up on her or push her beyond what she can handle. They are one of my favorite couples.
The other thing that makes this book so great for me is the emphasis on children - you have the cruelty with which Aiden and Zaira (and many Psy children) have been raised/conditioned, the way that Changelings care for and raise their children, and the way Arrows will raise family groups moving forward without silence. In this last area especially, I fell in love with Zaira. She thinks she's so brutal and yet her fierce protectiveness of children and her maternal instincts are clearly not at all diminished by her life in silence.
As this book ends, I'm seriously starting to wonder how she wraps this series up with just 1 more book... but I guess the answer is that she doesn't exactly, with the spin off Trinity series - which we also saw the foundation for in this book. I'm excited to read the final book and I will definitely be reading the spin off Trinity series as well.
I've been listening to the series, and as always I love Angela Dawe's narration. She really does a great job with all the children's voices, furthering my enjoyment of that part of the book.
Qualifies for COYER Fall Scavenger Hunt Item #8 - read a book for Psychangling readalong.