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Glass Alliance #3
Southern Sun, Northern Star
Battles, revolution, and romance collide in Southern Sun, Northern Star , the conclusion to Joanna Hathaway's stunning, World Wars-inspired fantasy series.
Reeling from the tragedy that beset her family, Princess Aurelia has joined the resistance in Havenspur, spying on the Northern leaders who were once her allies and determined to stop her uncle’s machinations for war. Meanwhile, her beloved pilot Athan leads his squadron into battle as the Safire wage a losing war abroad and combat growing unrest back home.
When Athan is sent on leave to Havenspur following the death of a comrade, the pair reunite and rekindle their romance until Aurelia uncovers one of Athan’s secrets, a secret that could save countless lives. But exposing it to the right people will cost her Athan's trust, and this time, their shared memories of love might not be enough to stop the fateful path of destruction that threatens all they’ve fought to defend.
As history unfolds around them, every move they make drives them one step closer to either recreating their parents’ shadowed past or redeeming the alliance that could bring peace.
The breathtaking finale to a legendary series. Part war drama, part romance, Southern Sun, Northern Star is the epic conclusion to the Glass Alliance series.
Reeling from the tragedy that beset her family, Princess Aurelia has joined the resistance in Havenspur, spying on the Northern leaders who were once her allies and determined to stop her uncle’s machinations for war. Meanwhile, her beloved pilot Athan leads his squadron into battle as the Safire wage a losing war abroad and combat growing unrest back home.
When Athan is sent on leave to Havenspur following the death of a comrade, the pair reunite and rekindle their romance until Aurelia uncovers one of Athan’s secrets, a secret that could save countless lives. But exposing it to the right people will cost her Athan's trust, and this time, their shared memories of love might not be enough to stop the fateful path of destruction that threatens all they’ve fought to defend.
As history unfolds around them, every move they make drives them one step closer to either recreating their parents’ shadowed past or redeeming the alliance that could bring peace.
The breathtaking finale to a legendary series. Part war drama, part romance, Southern Sun, Northern Star is the epic conclusion to the Glass Alliance series.
432 pages, Paperback
First published April 20, 2021
17 people are currently reading
1967 people want to read
About the author
Joanna Hathaway
3 books351 followersJoanna was born in Montréal and is an avid storyteller who was inspired to write after reading her great-grandfather’s memoirs of the First World War. A lifelong history buff, she now has shelves filled with biographies and historical accounts, and perhaps one too many books about pilots. She can often be found reading, traveling, or riding horses.
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March 27, 2021Wow, I can't believe we've made it to the end of the journey. Thank you to everyone for supporting this series with so much love and enthusiasm—it has been such a joy for me!
If you've pre-ordered Southern Sun, Northern Star, don't miss out on your chance to receive some gorgeous art work to celebrate the finale of the series. Complete details are on my website or on my Instagram account (@spitfirewriter).
I've also started sharing some sneak peeks of the final Glass Alliance installment on IG. Please do come visit me there! I absolutely love getting to know all of you and that's where you'll find me most often. You'll also find some fun extras like Readalongs for the first two books, if an in-depth behind-the-scenes look at the history and inspirations for the series intrigues you. As well, it's the best place to hear about updates on any forthcoming events and projects.
I hope you'll enjoy Southern Sun, Northern Star as much as I enjoyed writing it (tears and all)! <3
If you've pre-ordered Southern Sun, Northern Star, don't miss out on your chance to receive some gorgeous art work to celebrate the finale of the series. Complete details are on my website or on my Instagram account (@spitfirewriter).
I've also started sharing some sneak peeks of the final Glass Alliance installment on IG. Please do come visit me there! I absolutely love getting to know all of you and that's where you'll find me most often. You'll also find some fun extras like Readalongs for the first two books, if an in-depth behind-the-scenes look at the history and inspirations for the series intrigues you. As well, it's the best place to hear about updates on any forthcoming events and projects.
I hope you'll enjoy Southern Sun, Northern Star as much as I enjoyed writing it (tears and all)! <3
February 15, 2021
”War is not loneliest for the dead, or the disappeared.”
We are finally to the end, and every shed tear, every smile of joy and gasp of shock has paid off. This is far and beyond, one of the best stories I’ve ever read – beautifully told in all of its haunting glory – and I just want to recommend it across the world to all who will listen. “This one, right here!” I’ll point and say. “This is the one you need to read.”
From the very first page, of the first book, the Glass Alliance series is a soul-stirring and passionately written story of love, war, family and sacrifice. Athan and Ali are twin stars hurtling across the universe for each other, always on the razor’s edge, their journey inevitable.
I long to see Ali and Athan’s story shared amongst readers like me, who look at our world – our past, our present and our future – and think of all who have been lost and those they’ve left behind. Those who have crawled and fought their way for something better and those who look out to the horizon and wonder, “What if?” For that is this story at its heart. And it will forever live in my heart of hearts.
This series starts with a naive Princess who believes herself untouchable and a pilot that’s a General’s son who wants nothing to do with his father’s war. But as we know, war is waged by the old, but it is the youth who most suffer. Despite their undying love for each other, the Princess and pilot find themselves on opposite ends of a world war and conflicts decades in the making. Over seas and mountains and crumbling cities, they fight to hold on to each other and their vision for a better future. But with that fight comes the sting of betrayal and the pulling of countless triggers.
”Can we betray and love at once? I’m beginning to think so.”
If there’s one thing that has always called to me, it’s the stories of the people who experienced the World Wars. The people who would otherwise be forgotten, had their stories not been recorded for generations to come. The Glass Alliance series is a fantasy that is clearly inspired by the stories of those people and it’s clear how sincerely Hathaway strove to put them to page and give a voice to those forgotten by history. From the refugees, to the resistance fighters, to the soldiers and sailors and pilots who only wish to go home, it’s all here and it’s profound in its account.
When I reviewed the first book, I mentioned how it reminded me of Atonement – and this series still does (albeit with a different kind of ending 😉). We are first introduced to the story with a prologue that clearly takes place in the future and we know that the characters have experienced immense pain and loss to get to that point. We finally reach that prologue scene in this book and damn if I didn’t have a sob in my throat throughout the whole thing.
But there is also SO much love in this book as well. It’s a desperate, wild sort of love, that knows the world would rather crush it under its heel, but it’s a love that still sprouts and grows and spreads under that weight. I love Athan and Ali’s story so much, but also the stories of all the other characters in this series: Cyar, Kalt, Tirza, Elan, Leannya, Reni, Fenn, Lark, Trigg, Mati, Arrin and so many others.
Needless to say, I see kindred hearts in the characters within these pages and am so glad Hathaway brought us their stories. I hope that others will find them and come to love them as much as I do.
Eyes on the horizon, always.
Review copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an early review.
We are finally to the end, and every shed tear, every smile of joy and gasp of shock has paid off. This is far and beyond, one of the best stories I’ve ever read – beautifully told in all of its haunting glory – and I just want to recommend it across the world to all who will listen. “This one, right here!” I’ll point and say. “This is the one you need to read.”
From the very first page, of the first book, the Glass Alliance series is a soul-stirring and passionately written story of love, war, family and sacrifice. Athan and Ali are twin stars hurtling across the universe for each other, always on the razor’s edge, their journey inevitable.
I long to see Ali and Athan’s story shared amongst readers like me, who look at our world – our past, our present and our future – and think of all who have been lost and those they’ve left behind. Those who have crawled and fought their way for something better and those who look out to the horizon and wonder, “What if?” For that is this story at its heart. And it will forever live in my heart of hearts.
This series starts with a naive Princess who believes herself untouchable and a pilot that’s a General’s son who wants nothing to do with his father’s war. But as we know, war is waged by the old, but it is the youth who most suffer. Despite their undying love for each other, the Princess and pilot find themselves on opposite ends of a world war and conflicts decades in the making. Over seas and mountains and crumbling cities, they fight to hold on to each other and their vision for a better future. But with that fight comes the sting of betrayal and the pulling of countless triggers.
”Can we betray and love at once? I’m beginning to think so.”
If there’s one thing that has always called to me, it’s the stories of the people who experienced the World Wars. The people who would otherwise be forgotten, had their stories not been recorded for generations to come. The Glass Alliance series is a fantasy that is clearly inspired by the stories of those people and it’s clear how sincerely Hathaway strove to put them to page and give a voice to those forgotten by history. From the refugees, to the resistance fighters, to the soldiers and sailors and pilots who only wish to go home, it’s all here and it’s profound in its account.
When I reviewed the first book, I mentioned how it reminded me of Atonement – and this series still does (albeit with a different kind of ending 😉). We are first introduced to the story with a prologue that clearly takes place in the future and we know that the characters have experienced immense pain and loss to get to that point. We finally reach that prologue scene in this book and damn if I didn’t have a sob in my throat throughout the whole thing.
But there is also SO much love in this book as well. It’s a desperate, wild sort of love, that knows the world would rather crush it under its heel, but it’s a love that still sprouts and grows and spreads under that weight. I love Athan and Ali’s story so much, but also the stories of all the other characters in this series: Cyar, Kalt, Tirza, Elan, Leannya, Reni, Fenn, Lark, Trigg, Mati, Arrin and so many others.
Needless to say, I see kindred hearts in the characters within these pages and am so glad Hathaway brought us their stories. I hope that others will find them and come to love them as much as I do.
Eyes on the horizon, always.
Review copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an early review.
January 11, 2023
”For tomorrow is ours— and we rise up, never forgotten.”
TW: alcoholism, animal cruelty, blood, confinement, death, death of a loved one, gun violence, injury/injury detail, medical trauma, mental illness, murder, sexual assault, violence, war.
I don’t think I’ll ever fully know how to review the books/series that mean the most to me.
So I will be brief and say that this was a devastatingly brilliant finale, that managed to be both haunting and hopeful at once. Joanna Hathaway is an incredible author and I will read literally anything else she writes.
This is one of those series that I know is going to stay with me for a long time.
TW: alcoholism, animal cruelty, blood, confinement, death, death of a loved one, gun violence, injury/injury detail, medical trauma, mental illness, murder, sexual assault, violence, war.
I don’t think I’ll ever fully know how to review the books/series that mean the most to me.
So I will be brief and say that this was a devastatingly brilliant finale, that managed to be both haunting and hopeful at once. Joanna Hathaway is an incredible author and I will read literally anything else she writes.
This is one of those series that I know is going to stay with me for a long time.
April 21, 2021
I barely ate and drank while reading this, and I have a headache from how much I've been crying. It's a glorious, heartbreaking, tragic, magnificent end to a glorious, heartbreaking, tragic, magnificent series. It's fucking unreal that this series is over.
February 6, 2022
I finished it. I finished this glorious series series and now that it is over I feel like I just exited a movie theater after one hell of a ride going 'now what?'. Now what indeed.
The final book is so god damn beautiful. So many things happen, time goes by, our characters that once were sixteen and seventeen are now twenty and twenty-one. The war has gotten more vicious, cruel and desperate. I felt it in every digital page, in every description of dog-fighting, in every letter between Aurelia and Athan.
I had read some reviews about people crying, about people absolutely gutted and saying the ending was bittersweet/happy. That the prologue from book one will come to haunt us, or that we will see it once again - time catching up and bringing us to that point.
Once it hit that point, I had to keep willing myself to read. That no matter he ending that if happiness were to happen or even sadness, I would be there to experience it. ... what a ending it was. It was the ending I wanted and the ending that the two of them deserved.
It still guts me that this series is so overlooked. It's well-written, beautiful, heartbreaking, and triumphant. It is the series that is meant to be cherished and any one who is a romantic and loves a story about war and two people caught up in it, you need to read this series.
Thank you Ms. Hathaway for giving us this gorgeous series. I hope and await your next one is not too far behind and gives us two characters just as good.
The final book is so god damn beautiful. So many things happen, time goes by, our characters that once were sixteen and seventeen are now twenty and twenty-one. The war has gotten more vicious, cruel and desperate. I felt it in every digital page, in every description of dog-fighting, in every letter between Aurelia and Athan.
I had read some reviews about people crying, about people absolutely gutted and saying the ending was bittersweet/happy. That the prologue from book one will come to haunt us, or that we will see it once again - time catching up and bringing us to that point.
Once it hit that point, I had to keep willing myself to read. That no matter he ending that if happiness were to happen or even sadness, I would be there to experience it. ... what a ending it was. It was the ending I wanted and the ending that the two of them deserved.
It still guts me that this series is so overlooked. It's well-written, beautiful, heartbreaking, and triumphant. It is the series that is meant to be cherished and any one who is a romantic and loves a story about war and two people caught up in it, you need to read this series.
Thank you Ms. Hathaway for giving us this gorgeous series. I hope and await your next one is not too far behind and gives us two characters just as good.
May 17, 2021
What a masterpiece! I will be thinking about this series for a long long time.
October 12, 2021
War doesn’t give us right and wrong. It gives us simply war, and on the other side of that, some will be free, and some will be alone. Some of us will work to do better, and some will pay for their crimes, but none of it will ever bring back the lives lost.
My full review can be found here!
After reaching the end of this trilogy, I need to be left alone for about five to seven business days. Maybe even longer. To say that Southern Sun, Northern Star destroyed me is maybe the biggest understatement that I will say all year. It broke me down into a hundred—a thousand—tiny pieces, the words on the page digging into my skin like shrapnel. And then, somehow, miraculously, those same words healed me.
Perhaps foolishly, I thought I was prepared. Everyone who picks up the first book knows where things are headed. It’s not some big mystery, it doesn’t sneak up on you. It’s there, written plain as day, right in the prologue. We know the collision course on which Aurelia and Athan are ultimately set, and then it’s just a matter of how we get there.
Well, we get our answers. What hurts so much about Southern Sun, Northern Star is by this point I was invested in each and every single character. And again, foolishly, I thought I was prepared to say goodbye to some of them. I was expecting to say goodbye; it’s a series about war, after all. People go to war, and people die. Allies, enemies, civilians caught in the crossfire. War spares no one, and Joanna Hathaway spared no one.
Through all of this, of course, are Ali and Athan. Both changed, irreparably changed from who they were in Dark of the West. Shadows of themselves, the people they once were caught only in minor glimpses. But still hopeful. Still in love, even if that love is a twisted, gnarled thing. They have both completely stolen my heart, and I was rooting for them. I will always root for them. The same can be said for several favourite side characters, Cyar and the Dakar siblings in particular. Cyar Hajari deserves the world and I will die on this hill.
There are so many balls that have been thrown into the air over the course of this trilogy, and never once does Hathaway drop them. The ending, ultimately, carries so much optimism. And all of it is beautifully packaged in Hathaway’s signature lyrical prose.
The Glass Alliance trilogy has spoken to such specific and special parts of my soul, captured my heart, and swept my emotions along on a roller coaster. It’s a series that—for all the pain caused—I want to revisit time and time again.
I will carry it with me, for a thousand days. And a thousand more after that.
— — —
i need fucking therapy.
rtc once i manage to regulate my breathing and the headache from crying so hard eases.
November 2, 2024
Truly, this is such an underrated trilogy. I finished this last night and I’m still so hung up on the characters and their stories. This book in particular put my emotions through the ringer, but it was such a captivating tale of politics, forbidden love, and war. Honestly, my one “complaint” is that I think this could have been a 4 book series to further explain other storylines, but otherwise it was perfect. It’s not a fast paced trilogy, it’s intricate and slow building; giving you the time to connect to the characters. I’m not sure what’s in the works for Hathaway, but she will absolutely be an auto-buy author for me from here on out.
January 20, 2022
― Rating: 4.25 Stars ★★★★
I was hesitant in picking up this finale to The Glass Alliance series because of the deep connection I had with its multidimensional cast and fascinating world. Hathaway dared to explore the realities of war, geopolitics, among other dark themes all strung together with a tragic, beautiful romance, in addition to the realistic and flawed cast of characters. Southern Sun, Northern Star as with previous books will leave readers surprised, but enthralled with its intricate storytelling that is thought-provoking and poetically written. Truly a one-of-a-kind series I won't forget!
Hathaway, with each book across this series, continued to elevate the themes & topics surrounding war, leaving me in both in awe and melancholy at the detail, realism but ultimately scope of how she explored them through Athan and Aurelia's stories, in such an intimate, personal way. The main idea of this novel that comes across brilliantly with each emotional, gripping chapter is how war impacts everyone, despite whoever is winning or losing, in a grand, contemplative narrative.
Both Athan and Ali have taken on their respective roles in a war that continues to evolve, even more so in this last book. There's political, military strategy, spying, but at its core the story wonderfully delves into how these two continue to mature and figure out during this grand, final war, where they truly stand.
Despite loving both of them immensely across each book, Athan's story read the heaviest. One chapter in particular left me a mess of tears (Amid over 2 books of heartache that one scene is what got me). There's a thread of atonement and understanding he's grasping deep within, yet has never found the strength to act on but in this 400+ page finale, you see the way all these pieces build: the underlying ptsd, loss of comrades / family, realities of suffering and combat he's been placed into now starting to claw its way to the surface. I felt like I saw all of it coming, slowly building with each chapter but the way it all developed, left me with a new sense of recognition as to how Hathaway chose to explore these themes of war and history in such a profound way.
Ali takes on a new role too, being a spy in the South set to figure out what the next move is in this war, which continues to become a battleground for a war that began with powers in the North (like Athan's general father & the other Northern countries). She's an entirely different person than she was from book one and even two, especially here. However, I did find her chapters a bit slow and the whole storyline with Seath to be a bit dragged out (mainly because the star of this novel for me really became Athan). She can still be a bit hypocritical about other's roles, questioning grander ideas and not investigating her own actions in a more analytical light, but I enjoyed seeing how she worked toward convincing those closest to her, how they could enact change too and finding a place where she felt she could make a difference despite her royal upbringing. The politics and worldbuilding were never entirely lost on me throughout the series, SSNS slowly revealed how the tides of war shift in covert ways, but there are threads that connect it all.
The passion for history gets through with not only the larger themes of this novel, but the events that take place in the South that show how Hathaway brought intricate details about war, casualties, and examining the effects of war not only on a grand scale, but more importantly in a personal, singular way.
The characters throughout this series always felt real, with their own desires and FLAWS, but you still find yourself connecting to them and understanding their point-of-view, even if its wrong. That's what I will always remember about these books the incredibly flawed, but authentic, genuine characters who are brought into this world built of war.
I was surprised at how my feelings changed about Arrin Dakar. There's obvious characters like Cyar or Violet and Athan's squadron where you know their coming from a good place and your rooting for them. With Arrin and the other Dakar kids its clear they were the products of war and their general father. Seeing the messed-up, manipulative sibling dynamics evolve even more here through characters like Arrin, you see how their upbringing has given them the understanding that now they have no other choice but to finally rebel and fight against the rules of war that've raised them their whole lives.
Hathaway's writing style delves into such intricate details about political / military strategy that really leave you thinking about every little measure or motion within this war, wondering how it will come back around in later chapters. There's a poetic voice that's been present throughout this series that elevates the grander beauty / reality to the world during and post-war, grand ideas about history, legacy, love, and the tense relationships that drive the story.
I will say that despite my definite immense love for this series, the journey to the ending of the war felt too straightforward given all the different, complex variables (but again the politics are heavily detailed and densely layered across each book, so maybe this one brought something more upfront that I'd maybe missed before?). Certain sides we're let go a bit too easily (just in my opinion) and others felt like they could have had less page time mainly because there were so many parts of this world that would have been great to explore just one last time. While I loved how character-driven this finale was, there were times I wished there was a bit more page-time to delve into character motivations and less for certain ones who for me, took away from Athan and Aurelia's story. Despite loving Athan and Ali's stories for the different messages Hathaway weaved across the novel, I did adore Athan's the most as his presented the lasting impacts of being in the wrong and what it means to set things right. However, there's a personal side to Ali's chapters that show this glimmering hope for the future and how witnessing brutalities or war first-hand, made her less naive despite growing up as a royal.
The politics, militaristic threads, themes of legacy and all the intense subjects that come with the topic of war were explored with such passion and detail, but with a thread of hope that in a way, was a surprise to me given the bittersweet epilogue that started off the series. There's a tapestry of rich geopolitical worldbuilding alongside bigger ideas about history, what happens to the lost and those left behind being explored in such a way that I've never really seen in YA before.
As the story was reaching the end, I was just unsure of how it would wrap up, but seeing Athan go through so much development left me turning page after page, eager to see what would happen to him (and Ali ofc!). This is a series that will stick with me for a long time.
It was such an honor to be a part of Hathaway's world, her characters, their journeys and especially Athan and Ali's tale. I'm not sure what she'll be writing next, but without a doubt this grand, thought-provoking series of a star-crossed love and brewing war left me eager to read whatever she writes next.
(still stand by the fact that this series is so underrated)
I was hesitant in picking up this finale to The Glass Alliance series because of the deep connection I had with its multidimensional cast and fascinating world. Hathaway dared to explore the realities of war, geopolitics, among other dark themes all strung together with a tragic, beautiful romance, in addition to the realistic and flawed cast of characters. Southern Sun, Northern Star as with previous books will leave readers surprised, but enthralled with its intricate storytelling that is thought-provoking and poetically written. Truly a one-of-a-kind series I won't forget!
Hathaway, with each book across this series, continued to elevate the themes & topics surrounding war, leaving me in both in awe and melancholy at the detail, realism but ultimately scope of how she explored them through Athan and Aurelia's stories, in such an intimate, personal way. The main idea of this novel that comes across brilliantly with each emotional, gripping chapter is how war impacts everyone, despite whoever is winning or losing, in a grand, contemplative narrative.
Both Athan and Ali have taken on their respective roles in a war that continues to evolve, even more so in this last book. There's political, military strategy, spying, but at its core the story wonderfully delves into how these two continue to mature and figure out during this grand, final war, where they truly stand.
Despite loving both of them immensely across each book, Athan's story read the heaviest. One chapter in particular left me a mess of tears (Amid over 2 books of heartache that one scene is what got me). There's a thread of atonement and understanding he's grasping deep within, yet has never found the strength to act on but in this 400+ page finale, you see the way all these pieces build: the underlying ptsd, loss of comrades / family, realities of suffering and combat he's been placed into now starting to claw its way to the surface. I felt like I saw all of it coming, slowly building with each chapter but the way it all developed, left me with a new sense of recognition as to how Hathaway chose to explore these themes of war and history in such a profound way.
Ali takes on a new role too, being a spy in the South set to figure out what the next move is in this war, which continues to become a battleground for a war that began with powers in the North (like Athan's general father & the other Northern countries). She's an entirely different person than she was from book one and even two, especially here. However, I did find her chapters a bit slow and the whole storyline with Seath to be a bit dragged out (mainly because the star of this novel for me really became Athan). She can still be a bit hypocritical about other's roles, questioning grander ideas and not investigating her own actions in a more analytical light, but I enjoyed seeing how she worked toward convincing those closest to her, how they could enact change too and finding a place where she felt she could make a difference despite her royal upbringing. The politics and worldbuilding were never entirely lost on me throughout the series, SSNS slowly revealed how the tides of war shift in covert ways, but there are threads that connect it all.
The passion for history gets through with not only the larger themes of this novel, but the events that take place in the South that show how Hathaway brought intricate details about war, casualties, and examining the effects of war not only on a grand scale, but more importantly in a personal, singular way.
The characters throughout this series always felt real, with their own desires and FLAWS, but you still find yourself connecting to them and understanding their point-of-view, even if its wrong. That's what I will always remember about these books the incredibly flawed, but authentic, genuine characters who are brought into this world built of war.
I was surprised at how my feelings changed about Arrin Dakar. There's obvious characters like Cyar or Violet and Athan's squadron where you know their coming from a good place and your rooting for them. With Arrin and the other Dakar kids its clear they were the products of war and their general father. Seeing the messed-up, manipulative sibling dynamics evolve even more here through characters like Arrin, you see how their upbringing has given them the understanding that now they have no other choice but to finally rebel and fight against the rules of war that've raised them their whole lives.
Hathaway's writing style delves into such intricate details about political / military strategy that really leave you thinking about every little measure or motion within this war, wondering how it will come back around in later chapters. There's a poetic voice that's been present throughout this series that elevates the grander beauty / reality to the world during and post-war, grand ideas about history, legacy, love, and the tense relationships that drive the story.
I will say that despite my definite immense love for this series, the journey to the ending of the war felt too straightforward given all the different, complex variables (but again the politics are heavily detailed and densely layered across each book, so maybe this one brought something more upfront that I'd maybe missed before?). Certain sides we're let go a bit too easily (just in my opinion) and others felt like they could have had less page time mainly because there were so many parts of this world that would have been great to explore just one last time. While I loved how character-driven this finale was, there were times I wished there was a bit more page-time to delve into character motivations and less for certain ones who for me, took away from Athan and Aurelia's story. Despite loving Athan and Ali's stories for the different messages Hathaway weaved across the novel, I did adore Athan's the most as his presented the lasting impacts of being in the wrong and what it means to set things right. However, there's a personal side to Ali's chapters that show this glimmering hope for the future and how witnessing brutalities or war first-hand, made her less naive despite growing up as a royal.
The politics, militaristic threads, themes of legacy and all the intense subjects that come with the topic of war were explored with such passion and detail, but with a thread of hope that in a way, was a surprise to me given the bittersweet epilogue that started off the series. There's a tapestry of rich geopolitical worldbuilding alongside bigger ideas about history, what happens to the lost and those left behind being explored in such a way that I've never really seen in YA before.
As the story was reaching the end, I was just unsure of how it would wrap up, but seeing Athan go through so much development left me turning page after page, eager to see what would happen to him (and Ali ofc!). This is a series that will stick with me for a long time.
It was such an honor to be a part of Hathaway's world, her characters, their journeys and especially Athan and Ali's tale. I'm not sure what she'll be writing next, but without a doubt this grand, thought-provoking series of a star-crossed love and brewing war left me eager to read whatever she writes next.
(still stand by the fact that this series is so underrated)
June 11, 2021
“Earth and crowns. They come and go, passing between hands like spring to summer to autumn. And in the winter of war, all lose.”
Well, how do I sum up my experience reading this book? It involved a lot of me sobbing and begging with shaky hands and puffy eyes, walking away from the book out of despair, and the genuine terror at the prospect of what my favourite characters will go through. I'm not eloquent enough to express the way in which is series touched me. But I can tell you that the writing is breathtaking. I can tell you that it's melancholic and desperate, but beneath all that, it is also hopeful and full of love. And I will also tell you that it's a story you need to experience yourself to truly understand.
Pre-release
19082020: WE HAVE A COVER! I REPEAT! WE! HAVE! A! COVER!
14072020: What will be the colour of the cover? I'm betting on red for blood of all the characters that will die in this book.
03072020: I know this book will mess me the fuck up and yet, here I am.
April 23, 2021
Southern Sun, Northern Star is the third and last book of the Glass Alliance trilogy. Intricately done and a brilliant end to an amazing series! A perfect blend of family drama, war, romance, and political intrigue.
Inspired by the First and Second World War, Joanna Hathaway did her research well. The setting that she weaved is intense, realistic, and vivid. Her writing style is beautiful and lyrical, I could read it forever.
Full of well-fleshed out characters you can't help but love. All have an important role to play and seeing how much they change due to the war, just... hurt especially Ali's. Athan and Ali's relationship is heartbreakingly beautiful.
Some parts dragged but the desire to know more kept me going. No stones left unturned and all loose ends are tied up neatly.
Overall, I did not expect to love this trilogy SO MUCH!! It's a rollercoaster of emotions and it left me heartbroken. This is definitely one of my favorite series this year and will watch out for everything that Joanna Hathaway writes. I hope it gets all the hype it deserves. I highly, highly recommend it.
Thank you Joanna Hathaway, Macmillan-Tor/Forge, and Netgalley for the opportunity to read Southern Star, Northern Star.
Inspired by the First and Second World War, Joanna Hathaway did her research well. The setting that she weaved is intense, realistic, and vivid. Her writing style is beautiful and lyrical, I could read it forever.
Full of well-fleshed out characters you can't help but love. All have an important role to play and seeing how much they change due to the war, just... hurt especially Ali's. Athan and Ali's relationship is heartbreakingly beautiful.
Some parts dragged but the desire to know more kept me going. No stones left unturned and all loose ends are tied up neatly.
Overall, I did not expect to love this trilogy SO MUCH!! It's a rollercoaster of emotions and it left me heartbroken. This is definitely one of my favorite series this year and will watch out for everything that Joanna Hathaway writes. I hope it gets all the hype it deserves. I highly, highly recommend it.
Thank you Joanna Hathaway, Macmillan-Tor/Forge, and Netgalley for the opportunity to read Southern Star, Northern Star.
April 17, 2021
Thank you, Tor Teen, for giving me a free digital copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Content warnings: war, violence, blood, death, suicidal ideation, PTSD
Seeing as this is the final book in the series, this review will most likely contain spoilers. Please read at your own risk.
All quotes are taken from the digital ARC and may change in the finished, final copy.
“The old still think this is their war… They think they can hold us back with fear, but this isn’t their war any longer–it’s ours. The world will be what we make it, not them.”
Plot
Oh man, what a ride! I know this is a book about war, and I can’t imagine living through it the way Ali and Athan did but gosh, this book was hard to read. It was emotionally heavy, and for our main characters, it’s mentally and physically heavy as well. But boy, does Hathaway know how to spin a tale and to keep our hearts on edge. I absolutely adored how this book was a bit like a magnifying lens in current and past wars from every country and just how devastating it can be for everyone, whether you’re winning or losing or just caught in between. There is no mercy and no difference to some. I found Hathaway did a good job balancing the “heavy” with “light.” Despite all things, we do see hope, however little and fragile it may be. We think there may be no reckoning for Ali or Athan, but ultimately we see everything they’ve done is simply to survive, and that, I think, is the strongest thing to do. In Southern Sun, Northern Star, we’re taken all over this fantasy world, see how everything is suffering, whether they’re involved in the war or not. The war itself is something that had been brewing–unbeknownst to some–for centuries.
While I was shocked by the ending of Storm from the East, I was curious to see how those particular events would come into play in SSNS, especially with the General. Lo and behold when the real reason Sinora and the General are at each other’s throats is revealed. I thought, “How genius and wild for Hathaway to weave that in!” but also how cunning and clever is Sinora for doing what she did. I’ll admit I actually wanted to see more on-page scenes with the General, especially considering all that his children have done throughout this book.
I liked the way this book ended as well, given the circumstances. I’m glad we were able to see some characters stand up for what they believe in and how some admit what they’ve done is wrong. I also think Hathaway does a good job of exploring the whole “I was listening to my commanding officer/higher up/superior” while still showing the trauma, guilt, and internal struggle of this.
Just a note: We see the prologue of Dark of the West come full circle in that book, so if you were like me, wondering if that would happen, the answer is yes. (And if you’re wondering if the prologue in this book will hurt you, the answer is also yes.)
“How rotten to make death and sacrifice out to be noble, and a desire for life and love to be greedy. None of us should be dying. None of us should be killing. How rotten that the ones in power make us accept this reality, to be forced into these rules that should never exist.”
Characters
Oh, I knew these characters would suffer but how little did I know the emotional toll it would take. The prologue of the book really had to me worried as well! Right off the bat we see Hathaway use some of the characters as fodder (but that’s to be expected, right?) and dang, I was quite sad about it. It felt a bit like things were finally sinking in, especially for both Ali and Athan. Almost like what they thought they could keep at bay or seemed far away is now true and real and painful.
I will say one of the most surprising things was how I felt about Arrin Dakar. Truthfully I really disliked him in the first two books, and I figured I’d continue in that way. But to be honest… My feelings changed. He is a product of what his father made him, and that’s the truth in a sense with both Kalt and Athan as well, despite how much the latter two wanted to fight that. These three sons, and even Leannya, never truly had the chance to be children. We see the nearly carefree attitude of Athan break down ever so slowly until he becomes a shell. There is still love between these siblings and that’s reflected more in this final book. My favorite person to come out of this book is Leannya and damn, does she deserve all the credit for what she’s done. How clever of her as well.
Ali seems like a completely different person. I don’t mean that in a bad way; she’s simply had no other choice. She is a survivor, and in a war like this, you have to be one, you have to keep moving and reaching. And Ali really has her world turned upside down completely. She is still a royal, but she looks at them with near disdain now, especially her brother, Reni. There’s an excellent quote that really encompasses this when Ali sees Reni after at least a year.
“Claiming to be doing the right thing while feasting with the wicked. While having no idea how close to death the rest of have truly been, fighting to stay strong in a world that doesn’t want to know us.”
Writing Style
Hathaway writes an amazing story. I loved the contrast between Ali and Athan, and how essentially they want the same thing but achieved it in different ways. When you look at Book 1, you may wonder how in the world we got where we are. Hathaway throws punches and does a great job really examining the effects, and ultimately the precious cost, of war. I was really invested in the story despite the fact that I had to read something a little lighter; I think it’s because I mainly feared the worst for everyone, and wondered if Hathaway would really end things…devastatingly sad. Yes, there were times that I cried, especially those last 15 pages or so. When that happens I know this is a story that will stick with me.
“War doesn’t give us right and wrong. It gives us simply war, and on the other side of that, some will be free, and some will be alone. Some of us will work to do better, and some will pay for their crimes, but none of it will ever bring back the lives lost.”
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Content warnings: war, violence, blood, death, suicidal ideation, PTSD
Seeing as this is the final book in the series, this review will most likely contain spoilers. Please read at your own risk.
All quotes are taken from the digital ARC and may change in the finished, final copy.
“The old still think this is their war… They think they can hold us back with fear, but this isn’t their war any longer–it’s ours. The world will be what we make it, not them.”
Plot
Oh man, what a ride! I know this is a book about war, and I can’t imagine living through it the way Ali and Athan did but gosh, this book was hard to read. It was emotionally heavy, and for our main characters, it’s mentally and physically heavy as well. But boy, does Hathaway know how to spin a tale and to keep our hearts on edge. I absolutely adored how this book was a bit like a magnifying lens in current and past wars from every country and just how devastating it can be for everyone, whether you’re winning or losing or just caught in between. There is no mercy and no difference to some. I found Hathaway did a good job balancing the “heavy” with “light.” Despite all things, we do see hope, however little and fragile it may be. We think there may be no reckoning for Ali or Athan, but ultimately we see everything they’ve done is simply to survive, and that, I think, is the strongest thing to do. In Southern Sun, Northern Star, we’re taken all over this fantasy world, see how everything is suffering, whether they’re involved in the war or not. The war itself is something that had been brewing–unbeknownst to some–for centuries.
While I was shocked by the ending of Storm from the East, I was curious to see how those particular events would come into play in SSNS, especially with the General. Lo and behold when the real reason Sinora and the General are at each other’s throats is revealed. I thought, “How genius and wild for Hathaway to weave that in!” but also how cunning and clever is Sinora for doing what she did. I’ll admit I actually wanted to see more on-page scenes with the General, especially considering all that his children have done throughout this book.
I liked the way this book ended as well, given the circumstances. I’m glad we were able to see some characters stand up for what they believe in and how some admit what they’ve done is wrong. I also think Hathaway does a good job of exploring the whole “I was listening to my commanding officer/higher up/superior” while still showing the trauma, guilt, and internal struggle of this.
Just a note: We see the prologue of Dark of the West come full circle in that book, so if you were like me, wondering if that would happen, the answer is yes. (And if you’re wondering if the prologue in this book will hurt you, the answer is also yes.)
“How rotten to make death and sacrifice out to be noble, and a desire for life and love to be greedy. None of us should be dying. None of us should be killing. How rotten that the ones in power make us accept this reality, to be forced into these rules that should never exist.”
Characters
Oh, I knew these characters would suffer but how little did I know the emotional toll it would take. The prologue of the book really had to me worried as well! Right off the bat we see Hathaway use some of the characters as fodder (but that’s to be expected, right?) and dang, I was quite sad about it. It felt a bit like things were finally sinking in, especially for both Ali and Athan. Almost like what they thought they could keep at bay or seemed far away is now true and real and painful.
I will say one of the most surprising things was how I felt about Arrin Dakar. Truthfully I really disliked him in the first two books, and I figured I’d continue in that way. But to be honest… My feelings changed. He is a product of what his father made him, and that’s the truth in a sense with both Kalt and Athan as well, despite how much the latter two wanted to fight that. These three sons, and even Leannya, never truly had the chance to be children. We see the nearly carefree attitude of Athan break down ever so slowly until he becomes a shell. There is still love between these siblings and that’s reflected more in this final book. My favorite person to come out of this book is Leannya and damn, does she deserve all the credit for what she’s done. How clever of her as well.
Ali seems like a completely different person. I don’t mean that in a bad way; she’s simply had no other choice. She is a survivor, and in a war like this, you have to be one, you have to keep moving and reaching. And Ali really has her world turned upside down completely. She is still a royal, but she looks at them with near disdain now, especially her brother, Reni. There’s an excellent quote that really encompasses this when Ali sees Reni after at least a year.
“Claiming to be doing the right thing while feasting with the wicked. While having no idea how close to death the rest of have truly been, fighting to stay strong in a world that doesn’t want to know us.”
Writing Style
Hathaway writes an amazing story. I loved the contrast between Ali and Athan, and how essentially they want the same thing but achieved it in different ways. When you look at Book 1, you may wonder how in the world we got where we are. Hathaway throws punches and does a great job really examining the effects, and ultimately the precious cost, of war. I was really invested in the story despite the fact that I had to read something a little lighter; I think it’s because I mainly feared the worst for everyone, and wondered if Hathaway would really end things…devastatingly sad. Yes, there were times that I cried, especially those last 15 pages or so. When that happens I know this is a story that will stick with me.
“War doesn’t give us right and wrong. It gives us simply war, and on the other side of that, some will be free, and some will be alone. Some of us will work to do better, and some will pay for their crimes, but none of it will ever bring back the lives lost.”
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April 11, 2021
read on my blog
rep: biracial protagonist, brown side character, wlw side character, gay side character
cw: descriptions of war, war injuries, etc.
**I received an ARC from the publisher through Netgalley. These are my honest opinions, and in no way was I compensated for this review.**
This novel is the last book of a trilogy that I’ve greatly loved, so of course, I couldn’t wait to read it! I was ready to return to the Glass Alliance world and see what becomes of the characters. Southern Sun, Northern Star was a thrilling finale, with amazing character development and a sprawling plot.
This review contains spoilers for book one and book two.
After her mother’s death, Aurelia has turned to her mother’s past, becoming a rebel in the South and spying on a Northern general. Meanwhile, Athan continues in his father and brother’s war efforts, following their orders but growing more and more uncertain of this war. When he arrives in the city Ali is based in on leave, they rekindle their romance until Ali uses information she’s gleaned from him against him. War unfolds, and their love is caught in the middle of it, yet again.
If you enjoyed the political intrigue and war-torn plot of the past two books, you’ll definitely enjoy this one. I will say that at times, I think some of the descriptions of the battles could have been condensed; the depth that Hathaway goes into might be more appreciated in an adult audience, but as it is, the first half gets a little tedious at times. Looking back, though, I suppose the length of time we spend reading about battles and planning is probably more realistic, as it emphasizes the war raging around Athan and Ali.
As in the first two books, I really liked Ali and Athan’s dynamic. The tables have turned here though; now it’s Ali keeping secrets while Athan is none the wiser. Even when they’re at odds, you can still feel the love between them. They spend much of the book separate, on their own journeys, but I really loved their scenes together.
Also, as I said in my review of the second book, I’m a sucker for messed-up sibling relationships, which the Dakar siblings certainly provide. I was relishing every single scene with Arrin, who’s ruthless and willing to do whatever it takes, but also completely unwilling to let his siblings come into harm’s way. His scenes with Athan made me tear up honestly. I also liked that we got to see a bit more of Leannya; she proves to be an interesting character throughout the book.
I can’t really say much about the plot without spoiling it. Both Athan’s and Ali’s chapters follow the war, although Athan has a front-row seat to the battles and Ali is operating from the sidelines as a part of the rebellion. Like I said above, some parts do drag a little, but I also think there are other scenes interspersed that make up for them.
The ending was particularly poetic; it all wraps up neatly, but not too neatly if that makes sense. This is where I think the length and pacing of the book proved to be a good choice because nothing is too sudden or random. We build up to events properly, which made the events of the whole series feel paid off. The last quarter of this book really put me through the wringer though; I was almost in tears by the last chapter.
Southern Sun, Northern Star ended on a beautiful note and reaffirmed the series’s message that war always has its consequences. I really enjoyed the series as a whole, particularly the character development. If you haven’t picked this series up yet, I definitely recommend it, especially now that Southern Sun, Northern Star is (almost) out!
original review:
they had us in the first half, i'm not gonna lie...
seriously though, I think some parts of this book could've been cut, just because hathaway goes very in-depth about battle, which got a bit tedious. I think that might've been better suited for an adult market, not a ya one. that being said tho, looking back, it did feel more realistic, I guess? wars are often long games.
anyways the last 25% made me cry, especially the ending
rep: biracial protagonist, brown side character, wlw side character, gay side character
cw: descriptions of war, war injuries, etc.
**I received an ARC from the publisher through Netgalley. These are my honest opinions, and in no way was I compensated for this review.**
War is not loneliest for the dead, or the disappeared.
This novel is the last book of a trilogy that I’ve greatly loved, so of course, I couldn’t wait to read it! I was ready to return to the Glass Alliance world and see what becomes of the characters. Southern Sun, Northern Star was a thrilling finale, with amazing character development and a sprawling plot.
This review contains spoilers for book one and book two.
After her mother’s death, Aurelia has turned to her mother’s past, becoming a rebel in the South and spying on a Northern general. Meanwhile, Athan continues in his father and brother’s war efforts, following their orders but growing more and more uncertain of this war. When he arrives in the city Ali is based in on leave, they rekindle their romance until Ali uses information she’s gleaned from him against him. War unfolds, and their love is caught in the middle of it, yet again.
If you enjoyed the political intrigue and war-torn plot of the past two books, you’ll definitely enjoy this one. I will say that at times, I think some of the descriptions of the battles could have been condensed; the depth that Hathaway goes into might be more appreciated in an adult audience, but as it is, the first half gets a little tedious at times. Looking back, though, I suppose the length of time we spend reading about battles and planning is probably more realistic, as it emphasizes the war raging around Athan and Ali.
As in the first two books, I really liked Ali and Athan’s dynamic. The tables have turned here though; now it’s Ali keeping secrets while Athan is none the wiser. Even when they’re at odds, you can still feel the love between them. They spend much of the book separate, on their own journeys, but I really loved their scenes together.
Also, as I said in my review of the second book, I’m a sucker for messed-up sibling relationships, which the Dakar siblings certainly provide. I was relishing every single scene with Arrin, who’s ruthless and willing to do whatever it takes, but also completely unwilling to let his siblings come into harm’s way. His scenes with Athan made me tear up honestly. I also liked that we got to see a bit more of Leannya; she proves to be an interesting character throughout the book.
I can’t really say much about the plot without spoiling it. Both Athan’s and Ali’s chapters follow the war, although Athan has a front-row seat to the battles and Ali is operating from the sidelines as a part of the rebellion. Like I said above, some parts do drag a little, but I also think there are other scenes interspersed that make up for them.
The ending was particularly poetic; it all wraps up neatly, but not too neatly if that makes sense. This is where I think the length and pacing of the book proved to be a good choice because nothing is too sudden or random. We build up to events properly, which made the events of the whole series feel paid off. The last quarter of this book really put me through the wringer though; I was almost in tears by the last chapter.
We’re our own myth in the making.
Southern Sun, Northern Star ended on a beautiful note and reaffirmed the series’s message that war always has its consequences. I really enjoyed the series as a whole, particularly the character development. If you haven’t picked this series up yet, I definitely recommend it, especially now that Southern Sun, Northern Star is (almost) out!
original review:
they had us in the first half, i'm not gonna lie...
seriously though, I think some parts of this book could've been cut, just because hathaway goes very in-depth about battle, which got a bit tedious. I think that might've been better suited for an adult market, not a ya one. that being said tho, looking back, it did feel more realistic, I guess? wars are often long games.
anyways the last 25% made me cry, especially the ending
March 21, 2021
I got to read an early copy of this book for an honest review:
The final book in the Glass Alliance series was a worthy end to a great story. I don't usually like war stories but beside all the battles what makes this book and the whole series so great is the characters and the world building. Though I need to read the books again to makes sense of all the political intrigues and alliances among the countries and leaders, overall it shows how complex life and war is. Nothing is really black and white and I think this is the greatest achievemnt of this series.
In this book, the war that was on the horizon from the start has now fully engulfed the world. But here again, proxy wars are being fought over countries that are supposed to turn the tides, people become restless and examples are being made to appease the public. And people are making decisions that will change the outcome of the war completely. Even though some events are - to not make this book double the length - cut short and happen off the page, there is an ending to the book and series that is defenitly worthy of all the details that have been meticuously included throughout.
More than the story though, I think the book lives from the characters. In the end, it's a story about a war so there is predictability to it and how it will be concluded. Though I really did not see the ending happening like this, I think is was extremely well done. I love how Hathaway was able to wrap up the story with the perfect amount of pain, hope and happiness. Thoughout, there are noumerous occasions that show that there are indeed very high stakes in this war and that not everyone survives or gets a happy ending. Arguably though, after everything that happened to each character, I'm not sure any of them really has a happy ending.
Not only do they experience some really horrible situations themselves, I don't think any of the people in this story are innocent, not even the main characters Ali and Athan. As we see the world though their eyes we also see their struggle with what they 'have to' do in order to sway this war in the direction that they want to. It's though their eyes also, that we see other characters. So while in book one, we might know about something horrible the character has done or was involved in, by book three they have so many layers to them, that this first view might not hold truth so much any more. I would love for the author to write about some of those secondary characters (as long as it's not as painful as reading my favourite secondary characters story in this book :))!
There are so many great dialogues that don't just make the characters in the book grow but give the reader an opportunity to reflect on the world as well. But not just in those situiations, for me this holds especially true in the entire last part of the book. This was very hard to read considering real world wars and the consequences that are happening every day but we forget because they don't happen to us...
The atmosphere of the book is also emphasized by the language and writing style. Hathaway has just such a beautifully poetic writing style that goes so well with the story she tells. And with all the inspiration that was taken from real live events, it made reading so much more intense when I figured them out. Espically the parallels to the Bismarck and Tirpitz. Those moments made everything so much more emotional and made a really big impact.
I was torn between reading this book in one sitting and giving myself time because I did not want it to end. Now that I'm done, I can say with the deepest conviction that this series is certainly among the top three books/series I ever read, if not the best. I want everyone to know about these books because they are missing out on a great story if they don't know about them. I'm so grateful I picked them up.
The final book in the Glass Alliance series was a worthy end to a great story. I don't usually like war stories but beside all the battles what makes this book and the whole series so great is the characters and the world building. Though I need to read the books again to makes sense of all the political intrigues and alliances among the countries and leaders, overall it shows how complex life and war is. Nothing is really black and white and I think this is the greatest achievemnt of this series.
In this book, the war that was on the horizon from the start has now fully engulfed the world. But here again, proxy wars are being fought over countries that are supposed to turn the tides, people become restless and examples are being made to appease the public. And people are making decisions that will change the outcome of the war completely. Even though some events are - to not make this book double the length - cut short and happen off the page, there is an ending to the book and series that is defenitly worthy of all the details that have been meticuously included throughout.
More than the story though, I think the book lives from the characters. In the end, it's a story about a war so there is predictability to it and how it will be concluded. Though I really did not see the ending happening like this, I think is was extremely well done. I love how Hathaway was able to wrap up the story with the perfect amount of pain, hope and happiness. Thoughout, there are noumerous occasions that show that there are indeed very high stakes in this war and that not everyone survives or gets a happy ending. Arguably though, after everything that happened to each character, I'm not sure any of them really has a happy ending.
Not only do they experience some really horrible situations themselves, I don't think any of the people in this story are innocent, not even the main characters Ali and Athan. As we see the world though their eyes we also see their struggle with what they 'have to' do in order to sway this war in the direction that they want to. It's though their eyes also, that we see other characters. So while in book one, we might know about something horrible the character has done or was involved in, by book three they have so many layers to them, that this first view might not hold truth so much any more. I would love for the author to write about some of those secondary characters (as long as it's not as painful as reading my favourite secondary characters story in this book :))!
There are so many great dialogues that don't just make the characters in the book grow but give the reader an opportunity to reflect on the world as well. But not just in those situiations, for me this holds especially true in the entire last part of the book. This was very hard to read considering real world wars and the consequences that are happening every day but we forget because they don't happen to us...
The atmosphere of the book is also emphasized by the language and writing style. Hathaway has just such a beautifully poetic writing style that goes so well with the story she tells. And with all the inspiration that was taken from real live events, it made reading so much more intense when I figured them out. Espically the parallels to the Bismarck and Tirpitz. Those moments made everything so much more emotional and made a really big impact.
I was torn between reading this book in one sitting and giving myself time because I did not want it to end. Now that I'm done, I can say with the deepest conviction that this series is certainly among the top three books/series I ever read, if not the best. I want everyone to know about these books because they are missing out on a great story if they don't know about them. I'm so grateful I picked them up.
April 5, 2021
I am absolutely devastated at the end of this series. Just a heaping, sobbing, snotty, unconsolable mess. This series is, without a doubt, one of the best I have ever read.
But it is heavy. Not dark, necessarily. But it deals with heavy materials, and so I would not recommend binge-reading all three books in a row like I did. Because like I said...heavy. The series ends off an a note for hope and a better future, but getting there was VERY hard-won for everyone, and I wanted to wrap up all of my favourite characters in a bubble and ensure they'd be safe forever.
While all three books in this series are standouts in their own way, this final installment really delves into what happens in the aftermath of war. How do you continue living knowing the orders you followed weren't necessarily the right ones? How do continue to do good after you've done bad? Can you BE good and still do bad things, and vice versa? How do you move forward when friends, family, allies have been killed, leaving you to pick up the pieces?
Joanna Hathaway writes with grace and compassion as she delves into these topics in Southern Sun, Northern Star. It's heart-wrenching. It's moving. It's utterly bittersweet. I laughed, I cried buckets, my heart was in my throat more than once, and I rooted so, so hard for both Ali and Athan and they're separate groups of friends, family, and allies.
This series does not wrap up with a pretty red bow. The aftermath of war never is. But it leaves us with a note of bittersweet hope that everything that came before wasn't in vain.
The Glass Alliance series is so many things at once, but the word that comes to mind first is "stunning." Beautiful prose, deep and impactful themes, a romance that could last through the ages, characters that will stick with me for a long time, and friendships and family bonds I could read a whole other book about. Highly, highly recommended.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC. I'll go continue weeping into my pillow now.
But it is heavy. Not dark, necessarily. But it deals with heavy materials, and so I would not recommend binge-reading all three books in a row like I did. Because like I said...heavy. The series ends off an a note for hope and a better future, but getting there was VERY hard-won for everyone, and I wanted to wrap up all of my favourite characters in a bubble and ensure they'd be safe forever.
While all three books in this series are standouts in their own way, this final installment really delves into what happens in the aftermath of war. How do you continue living knowing the orders you followed weren't necessarily the right ones? How do continue to do good after you've done bad? Can you BE good and still do bad things, and vice versa? How do you move forward when friends, family, allies have been killed, leaving you to pick up the pieces?
Joanna Hathaway writes with grace and compassion as she delves into these topics in Southern Sun, Northern Star. It's heart-wrenching. It's moving. It's utterly bittersweet. I laughed, I cried buckets, my heart was in my throat more than once, and I rooted so, so hard for both Ali and Athan and they're separate groups of friends, family, and allies.
This series does not wrap up with a pretty red bow. The aftermath of war never is. But it leaves us with a note of bittersweet hope that everything that came before wasn't in vain.
The Glass Alliance series is so many things at once, but the word that comes to mind first is "stunning." Beautiful prose, deep and impactful themes, a romance that could last through the ages, characters that will stick with me for a long time, and friendships and family bonds I could read a whole other book about. Highly, highly recommended.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC. I'll go continue weeping into my pillow now.
March 28, 2022
I cried more than once.
April 20, 2021
Thank you so much to the publisher and netgalley for an earc to read in exchange for a review!
I am not even sure where to start with this review. I have many thoughts and I went through a whirlwind of feelings but I will do my best to type it out and hopefully it makes sense.
In the beginning, there is a prologue and I wasn’t sure how it fit into it all but it does show us the tragedy of war and that is quite fitting for this entire book.
As with the other books, there are two point-of-views: Athan and Aurelia. There is also a surprise one (besides the prologue) that is found much later in the book. I enjoyed being back in Athan’s and Aurelia’s mind. This time it was much different as war has really changed them both, especially Aurelia.
Aurelia aka Ali has seen and been through a lot through the course of the books. I have felt for her so many times but it was hard at times to like her in this one. She did a lot of things that didn’t fit who she was but it also made sense as war changes everyone. She had good intentions, but sometimes good intentions lead to bad results.
Athan is the same old pilot we know and love. He is out there doing his job and I loved reading about the plane fight scenes even if they were brutal at times. Thinking about it now, I would say that he has grown and in a good way. As with Aurelia, he wanted what was best for his people. He did have good intentions as well and again, some led to bad results. It’s easy to see the similarities between them, but at the same time he knew where his loyalty was. I couldn’t always say the same for Aurelia.
The romance between them wasn’t as big as the other two books but it worked well for the plot as it focuses more on their jobs and being away from each other. Aurelia doesn’t always make it easy on Athan to love her but he still sticks by her no matter what. I will say that he is very dedicated because I definitely wouldn’t have been so understanding in a few of the situations. I still can’t deny their love though. It’s one of my favorites.
With war comes violence and tragic losses. I’m trying not to cry just writing this out, ha. I was worried who would head to the grave and I definitely felt the losses. I cried for one and it wasn’t even for the one I was most upset about! This is a very brutal book and it will tug at your heartstrings.
When it came to the pacing, there was a few slow moments but it wasn’t hard to continue on because I needed to know what would happen next.
The ending was not what I expected and had me in tears. Don’t worry it was for a good reason!
Overall, I loved this book! It’s hard to put into words what I feel for it. As the finale for a trilogy, it’s hard to say goodbye to the characters and the journey they have taken to get here. I have loved each book dearly. I know these books will remain on my shelf for many, many years and I also know I will revisit them one day down the road.
I am not even sure where to start with this review. I have many thoughts and I went through a whirlwind of feelings but I will do my best to type it out and hopefully it makes sense.
In the beginning, there is a prologue and I wasn’t sure how it fit into it all but it does show us the tragedy of war and that is quite fitting for this entire book.
As with the other books, there are two point-of-views: Athan and Aurelia. There is also a surprise one (besides the prologue) that is found much later in the book. I enjoyed being back in Athan’s and Aurelia’s mind. This time it was much different as war has really changed them both, especially Aurelia.
Aurelia aka Ali has seen and been through a lot through the course of the books. I have felt for her so many times but it was hard at times to like her in this one. She did a lot of things that didn’t fit who she was but it also made sense as war changes everyone. She had good intentions, but sometimes good intentions lead to bad results.
Athan is the same old pilot we know and love. He is out there doing his job and I loved reading about the plane fight scenes even if they were brutal at times. Thinking about it now, I would say that he has grown and in a good way. As with Aurelia, he wanted what was best for his people. He did have good intentions as well and again, some led to bad results. It’s easy to see the similarities between them, but at the same time he knew where his loyalty was. I couldn’t always say the same for Aurelia.
The romance between them wasn’t as big as the other two books but it worked well for the plot as it focuses more on their jobs and being away from each other. Aurelia doesn’t always make it easy on Athan to love her but he still sticks by her no matter what. I will say that he is very dedicated because I definitely wouldn’t have been so understanding in a few of the situations. I still can’t deny their love though. It’s one of my favorites.
With war comes violence and tragic losses. I’m trying not to cry just writing this out, ha. I was worried who would head to the grave and I definitely felt the losses. I cried for one and it wasn’t even for the one I was most upset about! This is a very brutal book and it will tug at your heartstrings.
When it came to the pacing, there was a few slow moments but it wasn’t hard to continue on because I needed to know what would happen next.
The ending was not what I expected and had me in tears. Don’t worry it was for a good reason!
Overall, I loved this book! It’s hard to put into words what I feel for it. As the finale for a trilogy, it’s hard to say goodbye to the characters and the journey they have taken to get here. I have loved each book dearly. I know these books will remain on my shelf for many, many years and I also know I will revisit them one day down the road.
April 20, 2021
Southern Sun, Northern Star is the incredible finale to the Glass Alliance trilogy. I absolutely could not put this book down! Ali has joined the resistance, taking on dangerous missions to attempt to stop the approaching war. Meanwhile, Athan is forced to lead his squadron into increasingly dangerous air battles. Ali and Athan must decide what to do when they discover dangerous secrets that could save or doom the lives of many. The choices they make will either bring them closer to peace or permanently shatter their love.
With real historical details woven in, this story is one that will capture the hearts of history buffs and YA romance readers alike. The writing is beautifully descriptive and immersive. You feel like you’re there on the ground as planes fly overhead and sweat drips down your spine. Hathaway expertly shows how much all the characters have changed from their first meeting in Dark of the West and how their choices had consequences. I loved watching Ali and Athan reach for each other over insurmountable obstacles. They have such a breathtaking and heartfelt love story that made me smile and cry equally hard as it concluded. The supporting characters are extremely compelling, all with an important role to play in the politics of war where there are no simple choices.
Southern Sun, Northern Star is written with hauntingly gorgeous prose. This is a book that forces you to look at war from every side, see the effect that it has on humanity, and reflect on the past. If you like reading action-packed war stories filled with love and extraordinary characters- then you need to read this series! The Glass Alliance is one of my favorite trilogies and I would highly recommend it to anyone. Thank you so very much to Joanna Hathaway, Tor Teen, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
With real historical details woven in, this story is one that will capture the hearts of history buffs and YA romance readers alike. The writing is beautifully descriptive and immersive. You feel like you’re there on the ground as planes fly overhead and sweat drips down your spine. Hathaway expertly shows how much all the characters have changed from their first meeting in Dark of the West and how their choices had consequences. I loved watching Ali and Athan reach for each other over insurmountable obstacles. They have such a breathtaking and heartfelt love story that made me smile and cry equally hard as it concluded. The supporting characters are extremely compelling, all with an important role to play in the politics of war where there are no simple choices.
Southern Sun, Northern Star is written with hauntingly gorgeous prose. This is a book that forces you to look at war from every side, see the effect that it has on humanity, and reflect on the past. If you like reading action-packed war stories filled with love and extraordinary characters- then you need to read this series! The Glass Alliance is one of my favorite trilogies and I would highly recommend it to anyone. Thank you so very much to Joanna Hathaway, Tor Teen, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
February 13, 2022
4.5 star
Southern Sun, Northern Star is the third and last book to the Glass Alliance trilogy. i'm still not fully confident in writing a review for Storm from the East so I'm gonna try my best to at least write a review for Southern Sun, Northern Star. Southern Sun, Northern Star has a difficult task to accomplish. With an ongoing war and tension between nations high as ever, this book has to be realistic with the characters' journey but also deliver an ending that's satisfying and well-earned. I think for the most part, this book succeeds in this mission.
In fact, it's so successful at its job that it can get difficult to get through. In the grand scheme of things I'm glad I marathon the trilogy but I would recommend taking a break between the books because the themes get heavier.
Whilst the narration does not rely on the gory details for shock value, it also honestly portrays the violence of war. As we intimately follow Athan's journey surviving this war (and his desperate attempt to end it), we are confronted with many of the difficult decisions he's to make. the amount of trauma this young adult has to deal with on a daily... it's a lot. It makes his character arc one of the most compelling elements to the entire series and definitely steals the show for me.
Athan's story is tragic and bittersweet, in the beginning we see a young and hopeful pilot with a love for the sky, his only worry whether or not to commit to being top pilot. his optimism dims and everything takes a darker turn when he's confronted with the realities of war and in SSNS the impact of that really hits.
And I don't think I can properly speak about this character without being reduced to a keyboard-smashing-word-vomiting mess but Arrin Dakar is one of the most well-written character I've read. Arrin has done many many wrongs (and I don't think the book ever reduced the wrong he has done) but he is also a complex character. there's so many layers to him that just when i thought i got him all figured out, he'll do something that surprises me. he might be a fav (it's either him or Athan).
Characters is definitely one of the strongest points of this book series. A lot of work has gone into making sure the readers understand the characters' motivations and personalities such that everything that transpires plot-wise makes sense. They are all complex and flawed in their own ways and they've brought me so much pain but I would not have it any other way.
the one thing that i didn't really love about this book though is how Ari's point-of-view really fell off for me. There are a lot of times where I feel like her journey with Seath is going nowhere. when the pov switches to Ari's I just didn't care as much. it's the main source of my frustration with the pacing of the story (and why this wasn't personally a 5-star book).
I've very conflicting feelings about how this book ends. i think even though there's enough sacrifices made to make the ending feel hard-earned , the way it's done is a bit easy(??) compared to all the difficult, complicated political maneuvering that has previously occurred.
This series seriously deserves more hype and love.
Southern Sun, Northern Star is the third and last book to the Glass Alliance trilogy. i'm still not fully confident in writing a review for Storm from the East so I'm gonna try my best to at least write a review for Southern Sun, Northern Star. Southern Sun, Northern Star has a difficult task to accomplish. With an ongoing war and tension between nations high as ever, this book has to be realistic with the characters' journey but also deliver an ending that's satisfying and well-earned. I think for the most part, this book succeeds in this mission.
In fact, it's so successful at its job that it can get difficult to get through. In the grand scheme of things I'm glad I marathon the trilogy but I would recommend taking a break between the books because the themes get heavier.
Whilst the narration does not rely on the gory details for shock value, it also honestly portrays the violence of war. As we intimately follow Athan's journey surviving this war (and his desperate attempt to end it), we are confronted with many of the difficult decisions he's to make. the amount of trauma this young adult has to deal with on a daily... it's a lot. It makes his character arc one of the most compelling elements to the entire series and definitely steals the show for me.
Athan's story is tragic and bittersweet, in the beginning we see a young and hopeful pilot with a love for the sky, his only worry whether or not to commit to being top pilot. his optimism dims and everything takes a darker turn when he's confronted with the realities of war and in SSNS the impact of that really hits.
And I don't think I can properly speak about this character without being reduced to a keyboard-smashing-word-vomiting mess but Arrin Dakar is one of the most well-written character I've read. Arrin has done many many wrongs (and I don't think the book ever reduced the wrong he has done) but he is also a complex character. there's so many layers to him that just when i thought i got him all figured out, he'll do something that surprises me. he might be a fav (it's either him or Athan).
Characters is definitely one of the strongest points of this book series. A lot of work has gone into making sure the readers understand the characters' motivations and personalities such that everything that transpires plot-wise makes sense. They are all complex and flawed in their own ways and they've brought me so much pain but I would not have it any other way.
the one thing that i didn't really love about this book though is how Ari's point-of-view really fell off for me. There are a lot of times where I feel like her journey with Seath is going nowhere. when the pov switches to Ari's I just didn't care as much. it's the main source of my frustration with the pacing of the story (and why this wasn't personally a 5-star book).
I've very conflicting feelings about how this book ends. i think even though there's enough sacrifices made to make the ending feel hard-earned , the way it's done is a bit easy(??) compared to all the difficult, complicated political maneuvering that has previously occurred.
This series seriously deserves more hype and love.
February 22, 2021
First of all, please only read this review if you've read the previous books, Dark of the West and Storm from the East. There might be spoilers from them.
How can one put into words the immense love one has for a book, for the characters, for a world?
Going in, I knew - or sort of knew - what to expect. Heartbreak - because still, it's a fantasy trilogy based on the two World Wars and, as I said, if you've read the first two books, you're already familiar with the author's way of writing it all. As in, no sugarcoating it. You can tell much research has been done, in order for the reader to feel like they're right there, in the middle of bombs dropping and people fleeing for their lives. You're right in the middle of the utter chaos that war is.
I wanted to know how we get to the scene described in the prologue of Dark of the West. A tired pilot who's seen more than he had ever thought he would while in the Academy and a princess-turned-rebel. Because these two... oh, man do I love them! Yes, there were times I wanted to shake them both - mostly Ali - but, as it all unfolded and things started to make sense, I thought, "Yes, now I get it." Because, as the author made sure to show us, we're all people, no matter the rank or status and we can and do make mistakes. Some are bigger than others, having a larger impact, on a whole other level. But we also have the means of making things right. We don't always know what that right is or how to do it, but we can do our best.
It was a whirlwind, a roller coaster of emotions and, after reaching the half point, I couldn't put it down and stayed up way too late - or early? - to finish it. Because it just couldn't be.
Did my heart break into itty-bitty pieces? Nope, it was shattered. Not once, but many times. I was sure I couldn't take anymore of it, but then Ms. Hathaway would come to the rescue with a cute scene or a swoon-worthy one.
The relationships and the dynamics are, just like in the other two - amazing. Given the hardships and, well, war, some characters distance themselves from one another, while others get closer, i.e. Athan and Arrin. The latter I've come to love with my shattered heart and I hope other readers will feel the same. He was never the bad guy, he just had to do bad things. It'll make sense once you've read the book, believe me.
Will I ever reread it? Yes. Not in the near future because I'm still not okay from everything that happened. Do I recommend it? YES. A thousand times YES! I can't wait to get a hardcover of this beauty.
P.S. I thought the author would kill me with the prologues. The last nail was actually the epilogue. Which also cupped the shattered pieces of my heart and put them back together.
I voluntarily agreed to read an early copy via Netgalley. Many thanks to Tor for giving me this opportunity. My rating is 5+ stars.
How can one put into words the immense love one has for a book, for the characters, for a world?
Going in, I knew - or sort of knew - what to expect. Heartbreak - because still, it's a fantasy trilogy based on the two World Wars and, as I said, if you've read the first two books, you're already familiar with the author's way of writing it all. As in, no sugarcoating it. You can tell much research has been done, in order for the reader to feel like they're right there, in the middle of bombs dropping and people fleeing for their lives. You're right in the middle of the utter chaos that war is.
I wanted to know how we get to the scene described in the prologue of Dark of the West. A tired pilot who's seen more than he had ever thought he would while in the Academy and a princess-turned-rebel. Because these two... oh, man do I love them! Yes, there were times I wanted to shake them both - mostly Ali - but, as it all unfolded and things started to make sense, I thought, "Yes, now I get it." Because, as the author made sure to show us, we're all people, no matter the rank or status and we can and do make mistakes. Some are bigger than others, having a larger impact, on a whole other level. But we also have the means of making things right. We don't always know what that right is or how to do it, but we can do our best.
It was a whirlwind, a roller coaster of emotions and, after reaching the half point, I couldn't put it down and stayed up way too late - or early? - to finish it. Because it just couldn't be.
Did my heart break into itty-bitty pieces? Nope, it was shattered. Not once, but many times. I was sure I couldn't take anymore of it, but then Ms. Hathaway would come to the rescue with a cute scene or a swoon-worthy one.
The relationships and the dynamics are, just like in the other two - amazing. Given the hardships and, well, war, some characters distance themselves from one another, while others get closer, i.e. Athan and Arrin. The latter I've come to love with my shattered heart and I hope other readers will feel the same. He was never the bad guy, he just had to do bad things. It'll make sense once you've read the book, believe me.
Will I ever reread it? Yes. Not in the near future because I'm still not okay from everything that happened. Do I recommend it? YES. A thousand times YES! I can't wait to get a hardcover of this beauty.
P.S. I thought the author would kill me with the prologues. The last nail was actually the epilogue. Which also cupped the shattered pieces of my heart and put them back together.
I voluntarily agreed to read an early copy via Netgalley. Many thanks to Tor for giving me this opportunity. My rating is 5+ stars.
April 13, 2022
MY HEART.
BLOG || INSTAGRAM
I don’t hug books very often. They have to really hit me, this was one of those books that I hugged afterwards because I just needed the comfort that things worked out okay. BECAUSE WOW THAT WAS A CLOSE ONE.
I loved everything about this finale. The pacing was on point, I thought it moved well and always kept me interested. This isn’t a fast read, it’s a building battle that culminates over time. And the action had my heart in my throat more times than I could count. People I thought wouldn’t die did, people I expected to did. A mix of many twists and turns that make your heart race.
The roooomance y’all. While I would obviously always love more, this fit the theme and plot well. These star-crossed forbidden lovers, Ali and Athan, tore me apart. With so many tough choices before them, both made mistakes and both found a way to create change in their countries. I love them and I love how it all worked out in the end for their story. It was the kind of bittersweet, yet positive ending that fit the book so well I couldn’t find a complaint.
The whole cast was vast and diverse. Many characters with rolls to play and I found that I was attached to many of them. Everyone was built incredibly well. The world was built incredibly well and this whole series is such a hidden YA gem that I beg of you to try it out!!
Overall audience notes:
- YA Fantasy + Romance
- Language: some light
- Romance: kisses to closed door scene
- Violence: physical altercations
- Trigger/Content Warnings: implied sexual assault, loss of loved ones, gun violence, battle scenes, war crimes
BLOG || INSTAGRAM
I don’t hug books very often. They have to really hit me, this was one of those books that I hugged afterwards because I just needed the comfort that things worked out okay. BECAUSE WOW THAT WAS A CLOSE ONE.
I loved everything about this finale. The pacing was on point, I thought it moved well and always kept me interested. This isn’t a fast read, it’s a building battle that culminates over time. And the action had my heart in my throat more times than I could count. People I thought wouldn’t die did, people I expected to did. A mix of many twists and turns that make your heart race.
The roooomance y’all. While I would obviously always love more, this fit the theme and plot well. These star-crossed forbidden lovers, Ali and Athan, tore me apart. With so many tough choices before them, both made mistakes and both found a way to create change in their countries. I love them and I love how it all worked out in the end for their story. It was the kind of bittersweet, yet positive ending that fit the book so well I couldn’t find a complaint.
The whole cast was vast and diverse. Many characters with rolls to play and I found that I was attached to many of them. Everyone was built incredibly well. The world was built incredibly well and this whole series is such a hidden YA gem that I beg of you to try it out!!
Overall audience notes:
- YA Fantasy + Romance
- Language: some light
- Romance: kisses to closed door scene
- Violence: physical altercations
- Trigger/Content Warnings: implied sexual assault, loss of loved ones, gun violence, battle scenes, war crimes
March 24, 2021
-- I received this book through NetGalley against an honest review. --
I don't understand why this series isn't making more buzz. There are all the good elements of a good trilogy: well-constructed characters, extremely well-managed political issues and above all a lot of emotions.
This third and last volume takes us to the home stretch, it's a trilogy inspired by the Second and First World War and we understand very well how an empire can be built and deconstructed in a few minutes. The author does not minimize the psychology aspect either because even a victory never is when you have seen so many atrocities.
For the characters, frankly I love the Ali / Athan duo, they have a very nice dynamic and are so human. Over the entire series, 3 years have passed and our characters have really evolved, they've grown, experienced trauma and we were with them every step of the way. I took great pleasure in reading them, in finding them.
So I really liked this last book which did not disappoint me at all and I even shed my little tear at the end.
I don't understand why this series isn't making more buzz. There are all the good elements of a good trilogy: well-constructed characters, extremely well-managed political issues and above all a lot of emotions.
This third and last volume takes us to the home stretch, it's a trilogy inspired by the Second and First World War and we understand very well how an empire can be built and deconstructed in a few minutes. The author does not minimize the psychology aspect either because even a victory never is when you have seen so many atrocities.
For the characters, frankly I love the Ali / Athan duo, they have a very nice dynamic and are so human. Over the entire series, 3 years have passed and our characters have really evolved, they've grown, experienced trauma and we were with them every step of the way. I took great pleasure in reading them, in finding them.
So I really liked this last book which did not disappoint me at all and I even shed my little tear at the end.
May 21, 2021
An excellent last book in this excellent series.
Great characters, a gripping plot, excellent world building and storytelling.
I loved this story and I'm a bit sad it ended.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
Great characters, a gripping plot, excellent world building and storytelling.
I loved this story and I'm a bit sad it ended.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
October 9, 2025
this! is! an! underrated! series! what power this story has: to show the atrocities of war, lamenting a mirrored reality in what’s happening in gaza, what’s happened countless times throughout history all over the world.
war, or greed, or hatred, never quite stamp out hope. hope lingers, haunts. it breaks my heart, this haunting, in all the best ways.
thank you jh, for writing a beautiful story about a princess and a pilot and their journey toward the hopeful horizon.
war, or greed, or hatred, never quite stamp out hope. hope lingers, haunts. it breaks my heart, this haunting, in all the best ways.
thank you jh, for writing a beautiful story about a princess and a pilot and their journey toward the hopeful horizon.
December 31, 2021
This book is simply amazing! I had to stop my reading a few time in the last 100 pages for crying all the tears that my soul had. The books in that trilogy are my favorites of 2021! I'll recommend it to everybody ❤️
January 6, 2022
Here I sit with tears in my eyes, a smile on my face and hope in my heart. It was everything I wished it be and so much more. Wars have been fought and love has been lost but there is still something left in the end.
Thank you to the author for writing this book. I'll always be grateful.
Thank you to the author for writing this book. I'll always be grateful.
April 24, 2021
The perfect ending to a severely underrated trilogy that I regret waiting so long to read. One of the best books I've read this year.
February 3, 2022
Best book of my life. Took my time to read it because I was an emotional wreck chapter after chapter. I have no tears left inside but god this book was beautiful and magnificent.
September 26, 2023
I'm pretty sure I cried for 90% of this book, and I was definitely sobbing at the end. An easy 4.5 stars for me.
As much as I adored this series, I can't give it 5 stars because of two things: the slow moving plot and Ali's pov here. By this point, I think I have a good understanding of the players and world here, and the plot definitely picked up faster in this one. However, it was slow going overall and incredibly intricate and difficult to understand. It requires careful reading and sometimes rereading to understand. If you devote that time and energy, it's really worth it. But many don't want to, and that's perfectly fine. Like in the second book, I found it difficult to connect with Ali and understand her motives. She has spent three books jumping around sides, choosing who to support and condemn, and I am so confused by her. Maybe when I do a reread it will make more sense, but as of now I have simply found her flip-floppy and confusing. I did enjoy seeing how her character has basically done a 180 from the first book, and how she grew into herself, her confidence, her beliefs, and her family. I still liked her as a person, I was just confused by some of her actions.
Now ... I adored Athan, Ali and Athan's relationship, all of Athan's friends, and his perspective of the war and dogfights. Athan stole the show. The descriptions of war were gritty and real. There was definitely no glorifying here. In fact, it was ugly. I know some consider Hathaway's writing as flowery, but I think it works. I actually really love it. I love how we see the perspectives of each character differently based on whose pov we're in. Bark? Yes, please. I love how, at the end, all there is left here is love. Not just between Ali and Athan, but also between family and friends.
I have a bone to pick about the ending though because I want answers! Don't get me wrong, I think it wrapped up well, but like ... explain please! I also would have loved seeing a more in depth view of the recovery from Ali's pov. I actually think that's one thing I disliked about her pov's - they were always more generalized, less seeing her taking action (until the end), whereas we always see Athan in the thick of it.
ANYWAY, I loved this series as a whole, and I can't believe more people haven't read this. You have to take your time reading it and trying to understand it, so it's probably not for everyone. However, if you do so you will be greatly rewarded. I'm hopeful this author will come out with more books (and maybe one day give me a little more of Athan and Ali!)
As much as I adored this series, I can't give it 5 stars because of two things: the slow moving plot and Ali's pov here. By this point, I think I have a good understanding of the players and world here, and the plot definitely picked up faster in this one. However, it was slow going overall and incredibly intricate and difficult to understand. It requires careful reading and sometimes rereading to understand. If you devote that time and energy, it's really worth it. But many don't want to, and that's perfectly fine. Like in the second book, I found it difficult to connect with Ali and understand her motives. She has spent three books jumping around sides, choosing who to support and condemn, and I am so confused by her. Maybe when I do a reread it will make more sense, but as of now I have simply found her flip-floppy and confusing. I did enjoy seeing how her character has basically done a 180 from the first book, and how she grew into herself, her confidence, her beliefs, and her family. I still liked her as a person, I was just confused by some of her actions.
Now ... I adored Athan, Ali and Athan's relationship, all of Athan's friends, and his perspective of the war and dogfights. Athan stole the show. The descriptions of war were gritty and real. There was definitely no glorifying here. In fact, it was ugly. I know some consider Hathaway's writing as flowery, but I think it works. I actually really love it. I love how we see the perspectives of each character differently based on whose pov we're in. Bark? Yes, please. I love how, at the end, all there is left here is love. Not just between Ali and Athan, but also between family and friends.
I have a bone to pick about the ending though because I want answers! Don't get me wrong, I think it wrapped up well, but like ... explain please! I also would have loved seeing a more in depth view of the recovery from Ali's pov. I actually think that's one thing I disliked about her pov's - they were always more generalized, less seeing her taking action (until the end), whereas we always see Athan in the thick of it.
ANYWAY, I loved this series as a whole, and I can't believe more people haven't read this. You have to take your time reading it and trying to understand it, so it's probably not for everyone. However, if you do so you will be greatly rewarded. I'm hopeful this author will come out with more books (and maybe one day give me a little more of Athan and Ali!)
January 23, 2025
Some people who enjoyed this series rated 4 stars or less for various reasons like how the secrets are delayed too much to be revealed, how the plot and character arcs repeat themselves, how some deaths deserved more, how some actions are not fully justified, some characters should’ve done more or less, to change the course of someone’s life or even history itself, how some stories deserved to be told from other perspectives, especially the Nahir and the people of the South, how monarchy is still at the top in the end and even the biggest enmity proved to be over someone’s right to be king. I agree with all that, but less than 5 stars would be impossible for me considering that, for many days I went to sleep and woke up with Ali and Athan on my mind. Their love felt so real in this imaginary, broken world. Every letter, every encounter, every little thing they said to each other, be it out of love or hate, was pure, raw, unfiltered emotion.
I was unsure if I’d be able to get past some of those weaker points but at about 80% in, I’d made up my mind on this book’s rating. Once Ali and Athan started running together to save the people of Tevsuri, I knew I don’t care how it ends. They have finally come back to each other again, despite everything they’ve been through, like they always promised and made me go through so many different emotions along the way. I must say I was still a bit disappointed by Athan’s fate being in the hands of Reni whom I feel I didn’t get to know much, or how some characters met their end and how we don’t see much from the General in this book considering the impact he had on his children, it seems like he died the day Sinora died. Arrin’s character was probably the biggest surprise for me, I did not expect to care for him at all. But as others have said, this is a bittersweet story and it is not about right or wrong, it just is.
Glass Alliance, and especially the last book, covers so many topics and it shows how chaotic everything is, from pain to hope, from fear to courage, from love to revenge! It is heartbreaking and tragic, but also beautiful and funny and poetic and healing! I want to read this series and cry over loss and love again and again and again.
I was unsure if I’d be able to get past some of those weaker points but at about 80% in, I’d made up my mind on this book’s rating. Once Ali and Athan started running together to save the people of Tevsuri, I knew I don’t care how it ends. They have finally come back to each other again, despite everything they’ve been through, like they always promised and made me go through so many different emotions along the way. I must say I was still a bit disappointed by Athan’s fate being in the hands of Reni whom I feel I didn’t get to know much, or how some characters met their end and how we don’t see much from the General in this book considering the impact he had on his children, it seems like he died the day Sinora died. Arrin’s character was probably the biggest surprise for me, I did not expect to care for him at all. But as others have said, this is a bittersweet story and it is not about right or wrong, it just is.
Glass Alliance, and especially the last book, covers so many topics and it shows how chaotic everything is, from pain to hope, from fear to courage, from love to revenge! It is heartbreaking and tragic, but also beautiful and funny and poetic and healing! I want to read this series and cry over loss and love again and again and again.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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