In book three of the Raven Cycle, Blue Sargent and the Algionby boys are growing closer to finding Glendower, in many ways because by this point in the story, they’ve acquired powers. This book is about them accepting those powers – in many ways, it’s about growing up.
Adam must accept that he’s a magician, but also that he can stand on his own, and that he decides the relationship he has with Gansey. Ronan’s still caustic, but he’s showing flashes of humanity. Since Blue’s mother went away, she’s learning what that means, and also more about her power. And both Blue and Gansey must look at how they feel about each other, for very different reasons.
This book is a path between important bits in the story – those can work badly if they don’t have enough action of their own, but this one works, and I think it’s because of what I mentioned above. Coming to terms with the tools they need to finish this cycle isn’t as glamorous as finding Glendower, but it’s important, and this portion of the story treats it well.