This is the best book to have come out since original trilogy. 

I still have the same gripe I have before about Lysander, I hate his character, not because he's an eel, but because I think he's a poorly executed character. I've no idea what type of person he is, what he really values, he has no real family, he is completely by himself in a crowd. It's so bizarre, he's the total opposite of Darrow, they are almost two sides of the same coin, except I know Darrow morals, convictions, his traumas and suffering, I know what drives him and it makes sense, Lysander is like a chameleon, he keeps changing his forms, appearing good and misguided one second, then someone who wants to do the right thing but at any cost, then someone who'll kill anyone to take power and be in total control, he keeps shifting from moral to without morals and I get whiplash every single time. He is consistently inconsistent. I honestly want him defeated and to lose, not even because he's wrong, but simply because I don't want to have to read of him anymore, a very frustrating character.

As for Lyria

, I have a feeling the parasite is still in her head and Mateo put on the act of talking to her, hearing her say she doesn't want that power, then pretending to remove it, so that he could make sure someone who didn't want the power, understood it's dangers and the responsibility it would require would be charged with it's possession. I hope that's what happened, because if not, it's a waste of a plot and is a very clear retcon of a plot setup.

As for Cassius, Sevro, Darrow, Lyria and Diomedes, they were a powerhouse cast with some incredible character development and dynamics.

Cassius was an amazing character, he became a form of punching bag, a sponge for others struggles and pain, he made a lot of mistakes and took responsibility for them and he still followed his heart, he is what every gold should have aspired to be.

I loved seeing Sevro accept himself, he took his personas and united them, Sevro Barca, The Goblin, the Son of Ares, Ares. I loved his character arc.

Darrow finding his faith, finding his drive, recognising he was no longer the vengeful spirit that was needed, they is a shephard and a builder, he's not a warhammer to crush all those that oppose him, he is a hammer for driving nails into the foundations of a better world.

Virginia was very absent in this book, on one hand I'm not a fan of how her character has ended up so I'm happy to focus on the interesting characters, but on the other hand this book could have been an opportunity to work on and improve her.

Lyria was an absolute joy, she's the heart of the crew! I love how she's a mouse among gods and she's afraid of them all but pushes on through regardless and fights for her beliefs and those she loves. She's a reminder that the hierarchy is meaningless, everyone has a purpose and something to contribute. Her friendship with all the different colors is almost prophetic of a united future. I thought there was a romance budding between her and Cassius and I found it charming and sweet, but then at the end it was said to the readers that she was an unexpected protégé, which was disappointing.

Overall, this book felt very much like the vision Pierce Brown originally had for the new Red Rising Saga following the original trilogy, it had the heart of the trilogy, but a maturity to it that didn't sacrifice the heart, unlike Iron Gold and some chunks of Dark Age.