Satisfied

When the 2nd book in a trilogy is < the 1st book, but the 3rd book is > the 2nd book and almost = to the first, with a satisfactory, albeit seemingly temporary conclusion (with a set up for the next book, if not the next trilogy), I'm pretty happy. Especially when it's a total young adult genre book - in that case, it's practically all you could ask for. While I'm annoyed that the ending is only temporary, the resolution for this set of characters at this time is enough - bittersweet, without many (if any) loose ends, characters mostly staying true to to their development thus far, adequate and yet not-overreaching number of quotable snarky lines, etc. If anything, there are too many pairings all of a sudden - not everyone needs a partner for the end of times! It's nice, but a little much to swallow. Still, for a YA trilogy featuring a kick-ass teenage girl set in a magical near-earth, it was good enough that I read all three books in a week. This time pretty much came directly out of sleeping time, which is quite precious at the moment, so it's just about the most flattering endorsement I can make right now. Daughter of Smoke and Bone, I can't wait till there are more of you!