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Spoils Alert

General Opinion:.

I WAS NOT READY!

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​Characters and Plot

After Altan died, plus the traumas that Rin witnessed, everyone expects her to be a great commander of the Cike... Thank you, Altan, for lending one of the biggest responsibilities to a scared 19-year-old who just burned down a whole country and believing that Rin won't spiral. Well, Altan didn't think way ahead. Reading about Rin spiraling, being addicted to Opium, having to battle a raging God constantly, and rehearsing the memory of Altan was the most painful thing ever. I just want to give her the biggest hug and the most worthy therapy session, but because this is war and therapy isn't available, Rin just became crazier. 

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This makes me love her more, because she had a human reaction to all the things she went through, and I could never hate her, even though she burned down a whole country and admitted that she would do it again. None of this excuses what she did, but it makes her more understandable, because the Phoenix is a god of rage and vengeance, so Rin's anger and thirst for revenge were being amplified tenfold, until she breaks completely and burns everything to the ground. 

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When Rin said that she was glad that she didn't have to lead anymore, that she could just follow orders from Vaisra, it made me realize how young Rin is. Rin was just about 19 to 20 years old in this book, and it is tragic for someone that young to be thrust into such a deadly war with such power. The most painful thing is how everyone sees her as a weapon instead of a scare and confused girl, and Rin let them, because at least the things he did won't be in her name. 

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The only person who does not see Rin as a weapon was Kitay, and I am glad that they made up in this book, considering their fallout by the end of book 1. Now, onto the most depressing topic, Nezha and Rin... I am convinced that R.F. Kuang loves to torment her readers; she gave us their tender moments, showing readers how much they love and care for each other, just for Nezha's betrayal to hit at the end. The saddest part is that Rin thought Nezha chose power over her, but in truth, Nezha chose the better of the country over Rin. As much as I love Rin, even if she managed to escape that night, the Hesperians would want to capture and experiment on her, causing Rin to call on the Phoenix and burn everything to ashes, because Rin, strong willed, resilience Rin would never bend to anyone. As every time Rin called down the Phoenix's power, it got stronger, consuming her humanity, and Rin wasn't even aware of it. Even if Rin laid down her hand and stopped calling the Phoenix, there would still be people who forced her hand, as she is a weapon in winning a war, and that is the most tragic thing in Rin's story. 

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Also, the end when the Cike got killed: Baji, Suni, and Ramsa tore me apart. I grew to love them so much, thinking that they would be on Rin's side for the 3rd book, just to see them be murdered by the Hesperians is a knife in the heart. After that, I wouldn't be surprised if Rin wants to destroy everything, she was broken inside and out, I know she is heading to a dark place, that she would lose her morality as the page turn, and the worst part, I can't even resent her for it, because I understand why, Rin wants to burn the world? Let her. 

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Su Daji's character arc was really interesting, especially her last encounter with Rin in the end. I wish we get to see more of her in book 3. 

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​​​​​​​​​​​Conclusion

I am not mentally ready for book 3, but it's better to just get it done. I am 100% positive that this will be a 5-star trilogy, that every book is going to be 5 stars. The writing was incredible, each character stood out in their way. 

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