#sotoria

In The War of Two Queens (right before Poppy rescues Casteel) she experiences hunger for blood for the first time, and both her and Kieran are super tired and cranky. Poppy’s being lowkey bratty, but instead of being an asshole too, Kieran stops, gathers his also-tired-ass together (impressively quickly imo, I’m a miserable jerk when I’m tired), and asks Poppy what’s wrong, pulling himself out of a bad mood because he can tell he needs to check in with her.

He’s just so considerate it makes me want to pull him aside at a wolven beach wedding iykwim ~

He loves Poppy so fucking much and it just breaks my heart to know that Kieran lost Elashya, who potentially taught him this patience and gentleness, yet Kieran can still be kind and gentle despite the death of his great love.

Kieran is such a deep character and I adore the fact that we get to see the layers to him as the series goes on. Going from just a snarky friend of Casteel’s to one of Poppy’s most fierce protectors?

The little parts about Kieran and Vonetta’s new baby sister (and the fact that Kieran KNITS) just further supports my case of Kieran supremacy, I believe I have won, your honor.

“also known as ‘JERK’ BY PENELLAPHE BALFOUR”

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—Not A Spoiler—

But just know that Shea isn’t mentioned once. So if you were hoping for that little loose end to finally be tied, prepare to be as disappointed as I am.

My biggest complaint is that half the book is straight up just exposition for the prequels. I don’t think I would’ve minded as much if I’d listened to it on audible or something, but reading nearly 2,000 pages of shit I’ve already read?… yeah, no.

I will say, the book ended on a pretty f’d up cliffhanger, so maybe that’s why I’m so pissed… or maybe it’s because I have more questions, despite my previous questions still going unanswered, I don’t know.

I still enjoyed it, however, just… I’m very sad. The ending was a straight up gut punch for me.

I’ve finally finished all the Blood and Ash and Flesh and Fire books (except the compendium) and

To look into the face of his granddaughter, unable to separate the love he undoubtedly has for her and the devastation of knowing that the precautions he and Sera took were still not enough. To see Poppy’s defiance, strength, bravery, and cunning—so much like her grandmother—while also seeing the looming demise of the realms, if the prophecy is to be believed. To know how deeply he and Sera love Poppy, despite the implications of her birth and ascension.

To feel Poppy’s attempt at using the gift she inherited from him while knowing that he couldn’t explain the ability, and watch it bloom, as she grew up (just as Mycella wasn’t able to do for Ash). To remember the promise he and Sera made to each other after they learned she was pregnant with the twins—having both parents alive and well to raise them, the experience they were robbed of themselves—and knowing they couldn’t make or keep a similar promise to Poppy.

There are points during Born of Blood and Ash where your heart just breaks knowing the fate of Ires, Malec, Poppy/Sotoria, and Millicent. Ash and Sera’s hope and joy for the future is so very heartbreaking knowing what happens to their children and grandchildren.