This is it, y’all. This is the chapter I’ve been waiting for. This is the chapter that made me so mad I had to temporarily stop reading. BUT FIRST! Each chapter opens with a little bit of in-universe flavor text, something from an in-universe book or from Brennan’s diary. Mostly it’s just worldbuilding nuggets that…

Today we cover the fabled Squad Battle. Everyone engages in an obstacle course run, a sparring tournament, and a secret third thing. I’m so tired of the sparing-but-with-knives in this book. It’s like…the only thing that happens. There’s a vague mention of weapon proficiency tests, but we don’t see anything like that, nor do we…

Violet and Rhiannon discuss the make-out in the way that best friends have always discussed embarrassing make-outs. Much wailing, teasing, and gossip. Rhiannon reveals that she got her special magic, which is to summon/teleport things. Any rider can use the lesser magic to telekinetic things, but teleporting is special. Apparently it’s rare and uber special,…

Violet now has to go about her day with Liam playing bodyguard, including when she goes to do her library chores. Fortunately, he’s pretty chill to get along with. Unfortunately, he’s very dedicated to being a bodyguard. While at the library and waiting for requests to be pulled, they chat about Xaden. Specifically, how Liam…

So the little gold dragon has managed to stop time to save Violet from getting stabbed. Xaden, alerted by the dragons, kicked in the door right before the time freeze, so Violet stumbles over to his side right before time starts up again. Poor Andarna can’t hold frozen time for long. Xaden is furious, and…