I love this series, I hope (despite what the author writes at the ending) that this isn't the end of this series.

One thing I would advise, re-read Queen takes Checkmate ( or Hell, re-read the entire series from the beginning) again to refresh your memory on the characters. This book doesn't offer any recaps. I was lost from the beginning about who the various heroes and other characters were. There are so many secondary characters and plot points in this series and no recaps that in order for me to get a handle on what was going on I had to reread in full Queen takes Checkmate. It helped. Once I was done with that I picked up this book again and was able to get to it.

Authors take note: Constantly reminding readers of what happened over the past series, and reminding readers of each and every character in each and every book in the series is kind of overkill. However, throwing us in to play catch-up six months to a year past the last book is a dick move. This is especially true of series where there are multiple books, multiple spin-off series and a singly overall universe arc. Think Ameila Hutchins. She has The Fae Chronicles, Sleeping with Monsters, and the Elite Guards. Each series has their own story arc, but those arcs are all tied in together, with major and minor characters in each series showing up in others.

If only there were a character guide in these cases. ( )

Shara continues to escape having to deal with any real consequences, and the constant "I love all my blood, I would die for my queen, my life before was nothing" is a bit much. Overall, though, still an enjoyable book. I really love that Shara's alliances include mutually respectful and beneficial relationships with trees and animals. ( )