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kaje_harper's review
4.0
The tension and angst really ramp up in this second book of the Lijun series. There are some very painful moments (note warning at the bottom of the review). We learn a lot more about what drives Haru, how deep the damage from their upbringing runs, and why they react in ways that hurt Tally, without understanding the problem or seeing how to fix things. We also see Tally's blind spots, like when he finally inquires about messing up Haru's pronouns and Haru says "You didn't ask." There are things Tally couldn't even imagine, and in his rush into the marriage, never properly investigated. And those are coming back to bite them, hard.
This story delves deeper into Lijun politics and rivalries, with enough players that at times I had trouble keeping it all straight, particularly reconciling actions and motivations. But the heart of the story is still the relationship between Haru and Tally, and their circle of family and close friends. You definitely have to read the first book first, and the ending of this one is clearly a marginal HFN, a resting point but with more trouble on the horizon. There were moments that choked me up, and a little sweetness sprinkled through it, although not as much as I hoped from the endpoint of book 1. I look forward to book 3 bringing these two main characters together into a solid family, although it is clearly still a long road.
Do note - Content warnings for.
This story delves deeper into Lijun politics and rivalries, with enough players that at times I had trouble keeping it all straight, particularly reconciling actions and motivations. But the heart of the story is still the relationship between Haru and Tally, and their circle of family and close friends. You definitely have to read the first book first, and the ending of this one is clearly a marginal HFN, a resting point but with more trouble on the horizon. There were moments that choked me up, and a little sweetness sprinkled through it, although not as much as I hoped from the endpoint of book 1. I look forward to book 3 bringing these two main characters together into a solid family, although it is clearly still a long road.
Do note - Content warnings for
Spoiler
death of an important juvenile character, abduction of/cruelty to children, abuse
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