I almost feel as though I'm still processing everything. Honestly I started reading the book probably a few months ago and I've been reading it off and on, so I'm positive there's things I don't remember. Just like the captive kingdom I should probably reread at some point.
Though I'll always favor the original trilogy, it was absolutely an enjoyable read. It's nice to see all the ascendance kids back together again.
*absolute shattered castle spoilers ahead*
Of course we're all here for the absolute killer sass Jaron delivers, he absolutely wreCked a few people and it was iconic. "If you thought that was exciting, you should have seen me climb out of the river." Also can't stop thinking about when Wilta asked Jaron to choose who to free and he chose his gardener and Wilta barely even questioned it, she was probably so done with his bs at this point. Seriously Wilta had to be mentally exhausted after every interaction with Jaron, this girl needs a nap.
Imogen finally having a leading role, concocting and going through with her own plan without much intervention from Jaron, was phenomenal. I appreciated that Wilta acknowledged that Imogen was just as strong and intelligent as Jaron and comprised every bit of the royalty in her veins. It was fantastic for Imogen to finally get that recognition, and it really brought home how so much of Jaron's successes were backed and strengthened through Imogen and her own decisions.
Amarinda and Roden weren't seen that much throughout the book which was somewhat disappointing, but it paved the way for some other characters to shine which I really appreciated, namely Tobias {don't worry I'll rant about my son soon enough}, Imogen, and Fink. Oh and can't forget Rosewater "Lump" Coyle, an icon.
It was thoroughly entertaining seeing Wilta work with Jaron, their dynamic was hilarious. I can imagine Wilta sitting down, massaging her temples, while Jaron is in the background scaling the castle wall like a spider and everything is on fire. She was like "listen I know that son of a baconator is still alive, we all know it *Jaron with a lampshade on his head* *wilta staring into the camera like she's on the office*
Anyway seeing Wilta gradually change her stance was interesting to watch unfold. I'd like to think she began to genuinely respect both Jaron and Imogen, and respect the unified loyal kingdom they had created. The treason within her own ranks might have made the unity of Carthya seem very foreign and astonishing.
This is all over the place but when Roden had gone to retrieve the pirates I was cheering {how come whenever the pirates make their grand entrance I hear the avengers theme playing}. This might be a controversial opinion, but I feel that Roden should be the one and only pirate king, to me he rightfully earned that position.
Darius and Jaron joining together, and specifically riding together on the same horse, was very moving to me. Both brothers thought the other to be dead and forever gone from their life, yet here they are back together once again, brothers again, getting to fight by the other's side. They may have had to say goodbye to their parents, yet they didn't have to say goodbye to their brother just yet.
Levitimas simply vibing in some dungeon the entire time y'all go right ahead imma just stay right here good luck let me know when you have my book an icon. You can't help but wonder what he'll decide to pen within that book next, the tale of the ascendant king perhaps??? Would it be written as truth or as something told in stories??? Would Jaron’s rule eventually dissolve into nothing more than legend? Like a ghost, did he really live?
A headcanon of mine that didn't come to fruition, this will likely be a bit controversial as well, but my first impression of Castor was not immediate hatred. At the very beginning, I got it in my head that Castor wasn't actually a bad person, rather he was wearing a disguise, he was successfully fooling Jaron into believing that the Veldergrath line continues as usual, when in reality he was always on the side of Carthya and had secretly aligned with Imogen to take Wilta and the prozarians down. Of cOurse this didn't come about, the arrow intended for Jaron attests to that, though I was hoping. I just thought it would be interesting not only for Castor to truly fool Jaron as Jaron already holds a prejudice against Castor's family and might couldn't see through that, and at the last moment Castor reveals that he is truly on Jaron's side, and most importantly the Veldergrath line is not one set in stone as cruel or selfish. Castor gets to prove that one shouldn't judge a book by its cover or assume the same malicious poison taints the blood within his veins. It just would've been neat thanks for coming to my ted talk
THE MOST PRECIOUS LOYAL BABE
To merely recount all of the instances he verbally demonstrated and acted in such a way that revealed his undying loyalty to Jaron and to Carthya just ahfhdjjsbsj Tobias is constantly the butt of some joke, he's used to being belittled and treated like he's useless in almost all scenarios, so much so that any possible confidence has been visibly stripped away in this book, yet despite that he remained steadfast, did things that frightened him, stood with Jaron even knowing that it could be a death sentence. In stories such as these, it's the ones who wield sword and join in battle and spill blood that are praised as heroes; the ones behind the scenes don't get the recognition they deserve, the ones who's hands shake when they're forced to grip a sword's handle, the ones that are brave in their words and in their choices rather than in combat, the ones that choose to heal, to tend to wounds rather than cause them, those people deserve to be seen and respected so much too.
And of course. We cannot forget.
The moment when Mercy raised his blade to Jaron.
Tobias finally had his moment I can't, the amount of mental strength it must've taken Tobias to do that, he's a healer and yet when he saw one of his dearest friend's life being threatened he bravely made that choice, I just love him so much thanks for coming to my other ted talk
This has... become very lengthy, sorry about that, but there's some of my incoherent thoughts.
Almost forgot!! Thanks for the ask @spaghetti-flyingsquirrel-bin !
