It took me a while to fully immerse myself in this novel, a couple times I contemplated setting it aside in favour of reading another book. I was glad to have stuck it out in the end. Young's writing is phenomenal, the fight scenes so visceral and captivating, the gore almost flies off the page. The tension and disdain between the Aska and the Riki is palpable, the reader instantly worries for Eeyln when she is captured. Eelyn is a kick-butt character and, by the end of the novel, I loved her. Her character growth is believable, with hints of distrust for the Riki still strong until the very end. It is her bravery, her love for her people and her brother, that help to mend a terrible feud that have left many families wounded and lost. There is also a new threat which pulls these two foes together, these unlikely allies must trust each other in order for their clans to survive. Eelyn and Fiske's relationship was another highlight of the novel. The two are equals in battle, but also in loyalty and heart. They give their all to those they love and are willing to lay down their defenses and weapons in order to bring hope and peace to their people. Their scenes were expressive, quiet, true; these simple, caring, heartfelt moments between these two broken characters are what hooked me into the book, pulling deeper into the pages. The book focuses on forgiveness, trust, family relationships and the power that is given to hate. The most powerful force, the only real foil to hate, is love; be it the love between family, the love of friendship, or the love between two people, it is love that eventually breaks the cycle of death. It is also about understanding the similarities between ourselves and those who appear different to us, whether it be through religion, culture, or something else. In the end, we are all human, and Eelyn learns this as she lives side by side with those she was brought up to loath.
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