(spoilers!!)
this book was incredible. the perfect finale to a great series. i feel like the third and last books in trilogies will always be my favorite, so maybe this book had a spot in my heart already.
essentially, in this last book, deka, the slayer of the gods, goes on a final mission to kill the malicious gods, the idugu and the gilded ones to bring peace to otera. she discovers more about herself and her true origins along the way.
first off, i loved seeing deka's growth throughout the series. she literally evolved from an alaki to a god in the span of this trilogy, and built up her confidence and self-worth along the way. in the first quarter of the book, deka was like angry daniel tiger. yes, i'm using that phrase to describe deka, because my girl would lash out for no reason. i understand she was grieving at figuring out her "mothers" true intentions, but that DID NOT mean she had to take it out on her friends. she also couldn't touch anyone because it would hurt her, after she had drained her energy unearthing her friends' true powers. after she got to maiwuri, though, i began to like deka a little more. i quite liked the concept of godsworn, representatives of the gods, not quite human or divine. i also loved learning about Ixa, his healing abilities, and how he was connected to deka. as she began to understand her power, the Greater Divinity, and how to use it, she was able to defeat the gods and create a new kind of world where everyone is equal. took her long enough!!
her friends also supported her the entire way. especially keita, belcalis, white hands, and britta. i liked the detail of deka having to come back to gar fatu to find her kelai, located in keita's summer home. the symbolism of burning it down shows he was fully ready to leave the old him as well as his family in the past, creating a new future with deka. his "sweetheart". i'm actively CRINGING at that name. do i call my boyfriend my sweetheart? errr.... no. JUST CALL HIM HER PARTNER. IT'S NOT THAT HARD.
*sigh*
anyways. i love belcalis and britta so much. belcalis always has a plan, is always suspicious of everyone around her but also cares so deeply for others. i can definetely see why she became empress of otera. britta is unbelievably strong, and never fails to protect or comfort Deka when she needs it most. i was sad that she didn't become a god with her, because they literally promised they'd be together for eternity. but i do feel like a mortal life is much easier to live than living forever as a god.
i also loved white hands, she's such a queen. her and anok's guidance and advice shaped deka in who she ultimately became.
overall, this book was amazing. there were tons of twists and turns i never saw coming, and it was such a page turner, i motivated myself to stay up until midnight to fly through those pages. it was un-put-downable, as one would say. i love the fact that deka found her chosen family and can now build a better world with them as a newborn god. all the characters were multifaceted and unique in their own ways, and surprised me when i least expected it. definetely check out this series, you won't regret it!!