I love how this book is in four separate installments rather than one whole book. It is one continuous story, but each installment has its own focus within the larger story. The first book introduced us to the world, the second showed us what's at stake, and this book, the third, focuses on Rose becoming a Protector, despite all her protests.
Since Rose is fairly new to all of it and only knows the stories she was told, the author can safely give us a load of information without it actually feeling like an info-dump. It really feels natural to have all the information fed to us in the form of characters having to explain things to Rose. That way we are told stories that show us that the truth might be different from what Rose believes, but we also see her point of view of how things happened. It's only natural that Rose has a lot to learn before she can fully access her powers and it means we get both sides of the story and then come to a conclusion on our own.
This book focuses on Rose's training, both physically as well as magically. She learns more about the Protectors, about the pressure resting on their shoulders, about the Queen they are working for, and about their powers and how they work. However, she's still determined to save her friend, save Asher, and then change things for the better. Although she is willing to learn and accept her role in things, she will only do it on her terms and her morals will guide her, no one else.
Rose a character that's not only easy to like but she's so easy to root for. She has a willingness to learn and grow but she will not compromise herself, Her moral compass is always there to guide her to the right things. She is a flawed character but that is what makes her so relatable and easy to have empathy for. Some of the Protectors have given us a sneak peek into their backstories and it makes it hard to hate each and every one of them. This book does a great job of putting you in the "what would you do" spot.
Lisa Morrow has an amazing way of showing us this world and how it works. She puts such great thought into all the scenes that you can see them happening as you read. There is a great finesse to her writing and it is easy to get lost in her world until the book is over. A very good book, especially for fans of magic. I can not wait for the next one to come!