Oh, this book brought me so much joy. You get to see how Max and Charlie met and the journeys they took to get to where they were in the Dragonmaster Trilogy was very rewarding. And of course, there is more Max and Isa. You discover how Maximillion discovers Isadora as well as his viewpoint throughout their relationship.

There is SO MUCH to unpack in this epic story!! Charlie and Max start out as childhood friends that the magic brought together. They couldn't be any more opposite the other and it works beautifully for them. For his whole life Charlie is the only one Max has let into his circle until he finally meets Isadora. Charlie learns to navigate his double life as himself and the bumbling Charles. Together they make quite a force to be reckoned with. Tears of happiness, sadness and frustration...your emotions will run the gamut with this book and you will love every minute of it!

This is a must have book - the story of Charlie (Charles) and Max (Maximillian). What happens to shape the lives of two young boys and how those two shape the world of Alkarra. You will love Max in a new way, as you understand his background. Reading the Dragonmaster Series is needed before reading The Advocate to fully understand the characters. Katie continues to enthrall us with each new book, don’t miss this one.

I hadn't expected this. The advocacy and Charlie became real in this in a thoroughly engaging way, while Maximillian became a more complete person. The one caveat I would mention is that you need to read the dragonmaster trilogy first! Please read and enjoy all four books!

The Advocate is a wonderful addition to the "Historical Series" of novels by Katie Cross. We return to characters who are very familiar to us: in particular Maximillion, Isadora, Charlie, Lucey, and others whom we met in the Dragonmaster Trilogy. We move back and forth between the perspectives of Charlie and Maximillion, seeing events that we know (and many that we don't) from an altered perspective. Katie is amazing at expressing complex feelings and describing difficult, intense relationships. I recommend starting this on a weekend or when you have lots of free time, because once you start reading, you won't want to put this down. At the same time, though, you won't want this to end, because the events are incredibly gripping, the characters are so real (even if they possess magical powers), and the writing is beautiful.