Iron Crowned (Dark Swan 3)

I'm not sure what to think of this series.
I think that Richelle Mead is sitting at home going 'How can I f*ck with my fans, giving them some and then ripping it back, then giving them some more, then RIPPING IT BACK.'
I like Mead's characters. They are all unique, but this is the first time that I feel like a character is acting uncharacteristically. I'll maybe even say that it's because I liked this character and I just can not understand what is motivating him... Animal instinct is not the actions I'm seeing... but I guess that could be opinion.
I think the drama in this one hindered me a bit. I didn't like it as much as the first.