Still in progress:

I should not have read this series. The first one was good in both romance and plot, but I've hated the romance of the last three. This one is probably the worst - Cammon is not nearly as kind as everybody makes him out to be (there's a scene where he yells at a woman to 'forgive him' until she's finally mentally beaten into submission, and in a position where she can't have a conversation back at him. This is where I gave up on Cammon, and it was only a third of the way through).

The "innocent about the world" ploy only gets you so far until you realize he's definitely been living in a world with morals, and his ability to read peoples' minds should show their distaste for his "share everything with everyone" ways.

The pair the spares mentality is grating. This isn't new, but it's more proof that I shouldn't have read this far.

Overarching plot is fine - it's been plodding through all of the needless romance, but it's still cool enough. If this wasn't the last book following Senneth and friends I would not have finished this book, and I wouldn't be continuing after this book anyway. ( )

This is a satisfying conclusion to an excellent series. I loved the magic system and the characters Shinn created.

Even though I loved this book enough to give it 5 stars, I still have some spoilery quibbles with it:
First, I was disappointed that we didn't get any queer characters in this series. Cammon was the last main character remaining, and as much as I enjoyed his relationship with Amalie, I had been rooting for him to be gay or bi.

Second, it was strangely pat the way everyone gets paired off by the end of this book - not just the six main characters, but even secondary and minor characters like Valri, Darren, and Senneth's brothers. It feels very fanfiction-y.

And finally, there is a weird dynamic in this series around royalty and aristocracy that mirrors some characters' mixed feelings about their country's government. There is a clear interest and attachment to the nobility and monarchy, which is troubled by a criticism of the problems of such a system and also its ultimate silliness. This is a theme throughout all four books, with all of the mixed-status relationships, and it really shows up in this fourth book where they end up manufacturing a fake noble heritage for Cammon so that he can be king. This is very, very WTF. It's a strange middle ground between respecting the conventions of the Twelve Houses and undermining them, ultimately unsatisfying, if pragmatic.

Despite those three odd elements, I am so glad I came across this series through the Speculative Chic book club. I loved this story, and I would definitely read more in this universe. ( )

I thought this was a very nice addition to the 12 Houses series. It ties up some of the ongoing plot-lines, while not finishing the series, so it is possible to take a step back and catch your breath before diving back in to the next book. I am curious to see, however, how much the next book(s) will touch on the six main characters in this series, as this book could, potentially, have tied up their stories well enough that we now move on to new characters. ( )

More adventures with the gang. Cammon takes a more important role, but at least a quarter of the book is Senneth's perspective. ( )

This is the fourth book in Sharon Shinn’s Twelve Houses series. This time, it is the story of Cammon and Princess Amalie. Their friendship began in the second book while on a tour of the southern houses, so it should not be surprising that they represent the Reader and the Raelynx referenced in the title.

Cammon and Amalie are both young and naive, which is at times endearing, and at other times annoying. Their ‘forbidden love’ plays out against a backdrop of the impending and then realized war (which has been impending since book one). The battles scenes were unpleasant to read. They left a lingering foulness in my mind. Smacking the ingenuous Amalie and wide-eyed Cammon with war increased the intensity, but without suspense. In conclusion, everything is tied up a bit too cleanly and nicely, so I am happy to know that a fifth book, [b:Fortune and Fate|2880573|Fortune and Fate (Twelve Houses, #5)|Sharon Shinn|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1348522956s/2880573.jpg|2906784] is waiting to be read, because I feel like this book was not really a proper ending to the series.

I did like how Mayva's story ended. She was written as flighty, ditzy and gullible, and it was uncertain whether she would survive, and prove loyal or traitorous.

This was my least favorite of the four Twelve Houses books that I have read, but still an enjoyable read. The least favorite of a series that I love. I adore Sharon Shinn’s writing, and the way she balances fantasy, suspense, romance, mystery and adventure. Definitely love the main characters. One of the best things about the series is that the pov shifts so that you have a chance to be inside each of the main character’s heads. I will continue to read anything that she has written. ( )