Enemy's Queen: The Aermian Feuds Book 3

After the frustrating cliffhanger of the last book, I wasn't sure what to expect of this one. It was fulfilling in some ways, but OH SO FRUSTRATING in others. Still worth reading if you've been keeping up with the series, but prepare to be on edge.

SPOILERS

First, I did not expect Sage to be in another kingdom for most of the story. She was just beginning to make some progress with Tehl, and the romantic in me was hoping to see more of that. While emotional development did continue for them separately, it wasn't quite in the way I hoped. But that's just me injecting my own hopes and expectations into the story.

Second, trigger warning for this book! It was so uncomfortable to read Sage's story. The warlord of Schythia, Zane, is a pretty complex character, but he is ultimately a very disturbed villain, and every time Sage wanted to grant him the benefit of the doubt, or sympathy of any kind, I wanted to shake her. He claims to love her, and fools her initially into believing that they are friends and he cares for her. But just as in many other controlling relationships with a dominating abusive partner, he uses loving gestures to manipulate her. She went through so much mental anguish in the prior two books that I hated to see it continue for her in this book. But more than that, Zane made me feel like Sage was at risk of losing herself and becoming a husk of a person by the end of it. It felt like she was in so much more danger in this book because she wasn't able to be as resistant and defiant to his methods. Frost did an amazing job making me feel Sage's torment.

One element I loved was how Sage saw a hallucination of Tehl throughout her imprisonment. It showed how much Sage had grown to care for Tehl, even though she hasn't really admitted it to herself until this book. And from Tehl's perspective, it was clear how much of a loss that he felt by her absence.

We finally got to see more of the mysterious Scythia! Before now, we didn't really understand what a formidable enemy we were up against, but from here on out, the danger will feel so much more palpable.

I will say, I am so worried for how Sage will recover. Another testament to Frost's writing that she made we feel for Sage so acutely.

I was a little disappointed with Sage and Tehl's reunion at the end. I wanted just a little more time with them. But lucky for us, this is not the last of the series! I'm looking forward to book 4, and I'm sure I'll devour it as quickly as I did this one.