And so it ends.
I really enjoyed reading this whole novel from metaphorical cover to metaphorical cover. There were certainly parts I didn't understand, fight scenes that were difficult to follow, and actions that felt quite out of character to me. Especially Thea's, "Enjoy your cancer." I thought the energy was corrupting him, which, it was, but not his mind? He seemed to be, mentally at least, completely himself even when inflicted with all that energy. I hope he was corrupted, because otherwise the fact that he killed so many people would look quite bad, that he really never had to answer for.

Back to another thing I enjoyed, The characters were also a highlight. The back and forths between Zeltra and Thea, then Roe's Calm and confident demeanor, much to the aggravation of the Badger. And all the characters from the other world that were introduced. Despite being introduced at a fairly speedy rate, we get glimpses into their pasts and the role they played on their war torn world, as well as what the world was like itself, all from banter between themselves in the present, all from the perspective of Zeltra and Thea who didn't understand. That did a really good job at letting us learn who these people are and their personalities, all in a short time that doesn't halt the story for any lore dump. I think that's very impressive. At least from my uncultured, limited view of storytelling.

I'd say you also balanced humor and seriousness really well, and kept it consistent throughout the whole novel. The dark reality of whatever was happening never droned on to a depressing level, yet the witty humor always made sure to take a backseat when a moment needed the serious moment to fully impact the reader, emotionally. And I think that balance really important. When done right, it's certainly the underdog in making something compelling, but when done wrong, sticks out like a sore thumb. I'm not saying every story needs to have x many jokes to be readable. I think it depends on the kind of story you want to make. But for Anthem, it certainly landed, And I think you nailed it. <3

I do have 2 nitpicks I want to bring up, however. The first one being near the end of Act 3.

After Flyare pretty much levels a massive piece of land, destroying a mountain and a town/fort in the process, killing so many people. I feel you could have spent more time on the aftermath of that. The effects. Mainly just the character's reactions. to such a thing. Obviously someone like Krow is gonna be pretty damn unfased by it. But Zeltra? She's quite tough, and used to the horrors of war I'm sure, but I felt she could have had a stronger reaction to so many innocent lives being snuffed out. And I think that same sentiment could be talked about throughout the story. The mortal characters...just don't seem to be fazed by, or show much reaction to anything that isn't what's personally happening to them in the current plot. At least the main characters anyway. I dunno, I would've liked some extra time showcasing the full gravity of what Fraehya did. Of what Thea did as well! He had creatures rip out of an entire army, and then it just...moved on. Though that part is more tricky due to the plot kind of needing to move along to keep pace.

My other nitpick was about the ending. Don't get me wrong, I loved it. I think that was a happy ending done right. It wasn't happy because it was forced to be, nor did it feel undeserved, anticlimactic, or out of place. I think Zeltra sacrificing part of her own soul to the dragon that thought all he was good for was sacrificing himself for others was perfect. I felt it was a perfect ending to this story.

I just think Zeltra's grieving right before then could've played out more. I mean she loved this dragon so much, yet the only real reaction you described, to him dying on the ground was to put on a sad face and ask to pick him up and bury him in the north. The whole scene I felt would've impacted me personally, more emotionally if it was played out a bit more. And a super small nitpick...I kinda wish Krow shed a tear. I understand why he didn't, it's his character, but. I thought that this being the one time he was genuinely emotionally distraught and not being cynical, struggling not to shed a tear would have went a long way for me. But again, that's just my preference.

So yeah! All in all, I really enjoyed reading this. And I had alot of fun, and while I never cried, it was certainly an emotional rollercoaster. 9/10! Would read again!

Holy fish, you're absolutely right. I never quite gave the characters the time to even consider or even witness what that 'nuke' did. Not only to the land and it's inhabitants, but also the people living there (aside from some people being blinded by it from staring at the light). That's something I should honestly fix for the future of the last two acts [and this is why having other people read works is SO important! <3] I think I'll take the time to do that soon!

Zeltra's grief... It's a little hard to tell what exactly a Northe would do in terms of grieving. They never seem to really mourn their dead (there was a slight conversation between Zelly and Ricon about her father), but instead they Glorify their dead. But again; I think you're right and there should be more of some kind of reaction- regardless of how 'strong' she is (and another thing I'll add in). It would help her character growth and taking Krow's advice earlier to heart.

As for Krow's reaction... Like, Thea did break his facade, but this is a guy who's been around easily 13,000 years? On this planet alone? He's been around a lot of deaths and has been hardened towards them. For him to even crack enough to show that he didn't want to do that- for him to apologize several scenes earlier and admit that he was trying to find a way around these events, knowing how resistant the dragon was and spotting the outcome way ahead of time. Krow leaving because he wanted to find that damn rock before Thea did, or before the Sixes discovered Thea's resistance. The last scenes/couple of chapters were all kinda Krow's own grief whereas one of the worst outcomes HE (not Thogh, however) could have imagined came true. I can add a little bit more, but I felt like this was kind of enough on his end.

But for everything else, thank you Tune Both for giving this novel a solid try, sticking with it, all the suggestions, and for the kind words~
With them, you made one of my favorite novels even better <3