And his POV parts were so boring. They were all the same. Just Elias's emotional turmoil as he cut down trees or whatever in the forest. Spare me. The Ember quartet was phenomenal in every way possible! The world-building was great, some of the characters are amongst new favourites for me, the plot twists were mind-blowing and the dynamics between the characters were *chefs kiss*. And she kept blushing. Like, can you not? I get that Helene was infatuated with Avitas, but this is not in character for my stoic, cold as steel Blood Shrike. Most of the romance is about Laia and Elais and how much they lOvE each other but I wanted more Harper- Helene content. And I didn’t get it, which left me shattered. Have you forgotten that the Shrike is a woman Mettias?… Do not bore us with old prejudices. You are a better man than that.”

Harper is extremely caring with Helene and it’s rather adorable to see the ways their relationship grows over the course of the novel.The two get a lot of sweet moments in the finale and I’m just happy that Helene gets to experience that kind of a relationship. (Even if it cannot last forever.) Helene and Laia’s friendship A commander who has tasted the bitter fruit of war is the only one worthy of waging it. For he understands the cost." Why on earth did she die? And yes, I felt so sad that she died. This leaves Helene completely alone to rule an empire she never wanted to rule, and raise a nephew (when she didn’t want to do that either). Why is her life so miserable? She deserved better. 😭 She is now besties with Helene, and they hated each other in the first three books. All I can say is, why? What happened to her character? The main reason I liked her character a bit was because she was a plain, ordinary girl who was still strong. This just ruined everything.

so im feeling a little detached from this final installment, which is what i predicted would happen. again, this is a fantastic book and does the plot justice, but im still just personally not the biggest fan of said plot. i wanted more for my characters, but i get why everything works out the way it does. i have no doubt that lovers of the series will be very happy with this conclusion. Some characters showing up… I was like BIIIIIIIIIIICTH! I mean I 100000% knew that one of them low key had to arrive just because but the other I was SO SO SO surprised!

This book ripped me to shreds. It tore me limb from limb, vessel from vessel, thoroughly. It demanded I shut up and take the pain like a woman, like Helene, or Laia, or Afya, or Livvy, or Mamie Rila, or Mirra, or as any woman in this series would. This book showed not an ounce of mercy, not an ounce of regret. But in a way, I am glad. Because Sabaa Tahir portrays life. She portrays life the way it truly is, not as she wishes it to be or as we, her readers, wish it to be. Sometimes life is not always kind, and sometimes we forget that. Sometimes we forget that not everyone is full and bursting to the brim with happiness. Sometimes people ache for it. Sometimes people search their whole lives for it, chasing it, and never obtain it. Sometimes their whole lives pass and they have never tasted it. And we have to be grateful for those fleeting times, those brief moments of joy. And with that, we say goodbye to the Ember Quartet. I will miss it, but I'm glad it got the best possible ending

A Sky Beyond the Storm Audiobook Narrator

A Sky beyond the Storm takes place in the Martial Empire, a world inspired by the old Roman Empire, although it is heavily influenced by Middle-Eastern cultures. Trigger warnings in A Sky Beyond the Storm Helene The Blood Shrike. I always adored Helene. She was my favorite of this franchise, and she is one of my favorite female characters of all time. Her POV's in this book were a blessing, and fortunately I actually enjoyed her parts.