The shift after the divorce became concrete feels necessary, but also a bit jarring. Chapters in the 70s had this simmering tension where Navier’s composure was her weapon, and it was fascinating to watch the world slowly realize Rashta’s true nature. By 83, the chess pieces have moved. Heinrey’s presence is more dominant, the political maneuvering with the Western Empire takes center stage, and the tone becomes less about internal palace intrigue and more about external statecraft.
That external focus drains some of the intimate, claustrophobic feeling that made the early conflict so biting. We’re dealing with treaties and borders now, not whispered rumors in a hallway. It’s still engaging, but the emotional texture is different—it’s colder, more calculated. The personal sting of Sovieshu’s betrayal has been metabolized into political fuel. I miss the raw, petty drama sometimes, even if the story had to evolve past it. The satisfaction now comes from seeing Navier wield real power on a larger stage, not just survive a toxic household.