Celine feels like a different person as compared to the initial duology with The Beautiful and The Damned. This would have helped explain the intertwining of events that ensued later on. Bastien and Celine’s perspectives could’ve been inserted anywhere in between Arjun and Pippa’s chapters when they were thought about but they only appeared in the latter half. The introduction was a little abrupt considering we were following the former couple in the first half of the book. While Arjun and Pippa are the main characters, readers still get a glimpse of what Bastien and Celine are up to. The contrast actually balances out the horrible nature of the fey. However, Pippa’s optimism and kindness are a rarity in the fey world. Warned multiple times not to trust anything and anybody in that realm and even after learning about it the hard way, Pippa still tried to analyze things in a positive light. There were moments when I can’t believe how naive Pippa was about the fey world AFTER experiencing it firsthand in a very horrifying way. Meanwhile, Arjun is trying to find a healer from the Sylvan Vale quickly to save Odette from her final death and ends up meeting with the mortal. Her foolishness landed her in a marriage of convenience with her not-actual-fiancé, Arjun. My first impression of Pippa as the main character wasn’t too positive. Let’s just say that the fey are always depicted as malicious, mischievous, and evil supernaturals, and it’s no different in The Righteous. As the only being that could venture into the Sylvan Vale, Arjun returns to a place he absolutely hates. Odette’s death and Bastien’s leaving affected The Court of Lions. Definitely recommend if you love an amazing fantasy series. The ending was full of suspense and I am very curious to find out how the story of Celine, Sebastian, Arjun and Pippa will continue. I absolutely loved the dynamic between Pippa and Arjun and how their story unfolded. The addition of the POV's of Arjun and Pippa next to Celine and Sebastian is really well done. I'll be honest, at first I wasn't so sure about Pippa but she has really grown on me and now I love her. I am also really glad that we got to spend more time with Arjun and Pippa. I really enjoyed venturing into this realm and learning more about the Sylvan Vale. The Righteous is the third book in The Beautiful and this time we spend most of the story in the Sylvan Vale. I can go on and on but you probably get the point. The banter between characters? Fun, heartwarming, sexy and beautifully written. Her world building? Magical and intriguing. Her characters? Amazingly well-layered and compelling. I would literally read anything that Renée Ahdieh writes.

I've voluntarily read and reviewed this copy. Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of The Righteous by Renée Ahdieh.

The ruined renee ahdieh