Yes. Got pretty compulsive about finding out what happens next for the last 100 pages or so...

That's exactly what I did!

The Thing in the epilogue?

Holy crap, YES. I admit I should have seen it coming, after the chapter with Valkyrie and Carol being friendly. But I totally didn't. And I'm kind of surprised that the author would kill a character who is, for all intents and purposes, non-magic. Yes, she's just starting to make fire, but she's totally new at it. I *get* Mr. Bliss getting killed by a Faceless One. Or Kenspeckle getting killed by remnant!Clarabelle. I don't *like* it, but I get it. They were old pros at the magic thing, and choosing to fight meant they were in peril. But Carol was a totally different situation, and it just surprised the HELL out of me.

I'm less surprised by shit finally getting real with the reflection. It was a long time coming, IMO.

I originally thought (a few books back) that Darquesse would turn out to be the reflection. And then I thought, well, no, because the reflection has no magic of its own, and the prophecies show Darquesse destroying the world with magic. But after this book, I thought, well, wait -- DO the prophecies actually show Darquesse (or a Stephanie-shaped substitute) actually doing magic to destroy the world? I think maybe they don't. And now that the reflection has the sceptre (Valkyrie FAIL; or maybe technically Darquesse FAIL?), well, it can pretty much destroy the world. So maybe the "Darquesse" in all the prophecies is the reflection and her Magical Glow Stick of Dooooom.

I was thrilled to see Tanith, even for just a little bit, but less thrilled that there was no forward movement on getting the remnant out of her. DAMN IT.

And Scapegrace will never, ever, EVER not be funny, and this book was no different.

Oh, and the man with the golden eyes who's popped up in most of the books -- Mevolent, yes? I mean, in all the scenes with AU Mevolent, his eyes are not just covered, but it's pointed out in a ridiculously obvious manner. "His eyes are covered! Did we mention his eyes are covered, and if they happen to be uncovered, DO NOT look at them, lest you see their color! Which might be golden but you will never know because HIS EYES ARE COVERED!" So -- that's what my money's on.

I'm so with you. I have been waiting for a shoe to drop regarding the reflection for I don't know how long - several books. After it got left behind in the other dimension and tortured and stuff, I figured something terrible would happen but I was completely taken by surprise by what the something terrible was! Very Minear-like, making Carol all likable and interesting just in time to kill her.

I don't think the prophecy can be about the reflection, though, because Darquesse kills Stephanie's parents and little sister and the reflection is protective of them. Unless they fail her in some way and she turns on them, I suppose. Hm.

I'm so conflicted about Tanith's appearances! She's so awesome, and I don't really have a lot of hope that they'll get the Remnant out of her. But she's awesomely evil, now, which is fun in it's own way.

And I am dying to find out what happens with the brewing war between the Sanctuaries! I didn't see Madame Mist's choice of assassination victim coming either. I would kind of love a magical war between sides that are actually all "good guys" but have this huge misunderstanding between them, but that seems like it would get really grim and bleak. So I don't even know what I want, really.

Also, man with golden eyes - Mevolent not really dead? So mysterious, whoever he is.

I just started the first Skullduggery book last night. I didn't get too far but I really like it.

Yay! It's really likable.

I'm somehow alternating it with The Night Circus, but it seems to work for me so far.

Oh ... I've been skipping and skimming, but didn't someone ask about steampunk series? I've found some -

George Mann, "The Affinity Bridge" and some follow-ups - includes more of the science than others.

Devon Monk, "Dead Iron" and "Tin Swift" - includes some supernatural elements, including werewolves and what I think are elves.

Meljean Brook, "The Iron Duke" - very much a romance-oriented book, first in a series, although I don't think the others are as good.

Damn you, wee Teppy and -t! I just placed my order because I CAN'T WAIT ANY LONGER.

Tep, at one point Val (or maybe Darquesse, I think it was during the fight for the Sceptre of the Ancients) caught sight of AU Mevolent's eyes flashing yellow, which isn't exactly golden, but got me thinking. Then again, yellow eyes could be a red herring.

And, yay Pix! Mwahaha, my plan is coming together.

I've read the first six and hard-sold them to all of my students. I just can't wait for #7 any longer!

And once you get it you will have to devour it swiftly, and then we can talk about the Thing and the Other Things!

That's my cunning plan.