I think TBATE is a really fun, creative series with a lot of great characters that are interesting to follow as they mature. I enjoyed book 7, but this book lost a little bit of the magic for me. Whereas previous books were much more about personal growth, understanding the magic system, relationships, and fun, epic hero moments, this one has a little bit of that mixed with what is primarily a complicated, large-scale war novel. Still glad I read it, but I found myself pushing through to finish it rather than listening out of an intrinsic drive to hear what is next, like most of the past books in the series.