Wintersteel by Will Wight

As the Uncrowned King tournament reaches its final rounds, tensions between the competing factions are higher than ever. The outcome may determine the power balance throughout the rest of the world. Each Monarch schemes to seize any advantage they can...while far away, a Dreadgod stirs. When the tournament ends, the Dreadgod will rise. Whether it will be driven back into the sea or allowed to rampage depends on the Monarchs. And on which of them is left standing.

Best book of the series so far and some real solid character development for all the major characters involved. I am a little disappointed by the death one of the minor characters however, mostly around how it was handled. It didn't interfere with my over all enjoyment however.

Holy lol, the next day I wrote this review I got Covid, recovering well.

My 1000th book. It took me 4 and half year reading to reach this level. It reduced so much of my pressure (the pressure of meeting deadlines in software ya know). I will be reading forever. And the reason I choose this book as my 1000 because this is a special one. It's a great continuation of series. Eagerly waiting for next!

Executive Summary: This book really delivers on the promise of [b:Uncrowned 50789354 Uncrowned (Cradle, #7) Will Wight https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1567730777l/50789354.SX50_SY75.jpg 72716950]. I found it started a bit slow but finished really strong and I already can't wait for the next book. 4.5 stars.Full ReviewI first read [a:Will Wight 7125278 Will Wight https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1442891069p2/7125278.jpg] early in 2019 when I got a copy of [b:Unsouled 30558257 Unsouled (Cradle, #1) Will Wight https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1465881128l/30558257.SY75.jpg 51106215]. A buddy of mine had been trying to get me to check out another series he'd written for a few months before that but I never got around to.Cradle has quickly become one of my favorite series and each new book is a drop what you're doing and make time to read event. The last entry [b:Uncrowned 50789354 Uncrowned (Cradle, #7) Will Wight https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1567730777l/50789354.SX50_SY75.jpg 72716950] had a lot of potential but then it just sort of stopped. I still enjoyed it overall, but I was kind of letdown by the way it ended.It did however build a lot of anticipation for this book. I was spoiled and got to read the first seven books in one year. This is the longest I've had to wait for a new entry. I've always been a fan of fighting animes where the characters get stronger and the fight scenes get more and more insane.I will say that at this point in the series Cradle has reached that level. I don't want to spoil anything, but there are some (to me anyways) some very nice nods to Dragonball in this novel.I've enjoyed both the character development and the fight sequences of this series, but more than anything what sucks me in the most is the various magic systems that power the various characters and factions. I'm not entirely sure where things are going, but I'm excited to find out.

That must be one of the most surprising turn of events in the series, in fact there were a lot of surprises, one of the best books in the whole series, I just can not believe what happened, I was already thinking of something mind blowing, but what happened was way, way better than I imagined!!!!!

As the story progresses, each book becomes better but Lindon, you are still the same, naive, always thinking of the small matters not the big picture....

Yerin, what can I say, genius, selfish, inferiority complex, but still.............no wonder Cradle has such rabid fans!!!

Eithan, my, my, oh was I calling you, no please do continue whatever plots and plans your devious mind is developing

Mercy, you are becoming a female Lindon, naive inspite of being a Monarch's daughter and allegedly successor, I was hoping you will come out of your own darkness, shining but unfortunately.........

And more, a lot more, the foreshadowing, the battle between Monarchs and Dreadgods, Abidan and their unseen enemy.......

Book 9 and still a lot of mysteries.........from an Unsouled and now..................dreams do come true....for some.......and those bloopers HAHAAHAHAHAHA, from straight drama, action packed storyline, to just plain funny..........