I love Aileen and the gang but this volume was really hard to follow. Even after finishing it, I'm entirely sure what happened, who did what, or why; I'm hoping volume 6 brings clarity to this arc. (Volume 5 ends on a bit of a cliffhanger.)
I honestly don't know how many stars to give it. Because I think the writing is... good, considering. It definitely has a definite flaw in it, though, which is that it's.... too crammed. Like way too much is happening all at once, in a way that makes me think maybe this was supposed to be a longer book, or maybe two books.
I'm pretty sure the main issue is the cast is just way too bloated. Soooooo many side characters are in the story and there are MORE being added and they all need some measure of time in the spotlight, and they either get too little time in the spotlight or too much, and the ones that get the most are characters I dislike.
(Namely Serena. I absolutely *detest* that snooty toxic waste dipped bundle of red flags at this point, and guess who gets the most narrative attention next to Claude and Aileen? Serena and her simp, that's who)
The fact that the last book took place in a distant land helped forestall the cast bloating issue, but having this one take place at home just highlights how a lot of these characters just need to be retired in one way or another so that the focus can actually stay on Aileen and Claude... or Eileen and whatever interesting new character shows up.
Anyhow, yeah. Not put off to the point where I'm stopping the series or anything, but I probably won't be rereading this particular volume.
What to say? First up, Luciel. So this man was definitely a trip. I enjoyed his relationship dynamic with Aileen in this volume. He was definitely a character.
The Queendom of Hausel. Last volume I was already on my way to hating them. This volume definitely had me fuming. I was ready to throw hands with literally everyone from the queendom.
Lilia. Once again, volumes 1-3 had me despising her. Volume 4 had me enjoying her. This volume definitely had me liking her. Is she redeemed? No. But she had amazing growth this volume. Her character is slowly becoming a toxic fave.
Aileen had me in tears this volume. Not because I was sad, but because I was laughing too hard. This girl is a force of nature to put it lightly.
Since this volume ends on a cliffhanger, I really don't have as much to say because I'm eager to dive into the next volume.
It gets a little confusing at times with what’s going on or even who’s talking, but I’m fully in to see how this situation concludes in the next volume.
Fans of this series, you will notice that the author has hit her stride in this volume. The writing is clean, snappy and well paced. The characters continue to grow and evolve, making this volume a real page-turner! You don't want to miss this one!