3.89 AVERAGE

slow-paced
adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

I didn’t expect this book to completely and utterly encompass me. I loved Drue immensely, she’s an incredible FMC. Strong, independent, sassy and just completely kick-ass. Talemir was the perfect MMC for her. He challenged her in all the right ways and they both helped each other grow.

I am so glad I decided to read this in between book 2 and 3 of the Legends of Thezmarr series. I really enjoyed the back story to The Prince of Hearts, seeing a younger Wilder and being introduced to characters we have only had mentioned in Legends 
adventurous tense medium-paced
adventurous medium-paced
dark emotional medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

I read this as the emotional read of Legends of Thezmarr where you know a little bit about Talemir but not enough as Wilder’s perspective has not yielded a lot about his former mentor. I loved seeing Drue overcome her prejudices towards the shadow creatures to discover not all those that have been shadow touched are monsters. You also learn so much about Wilder in this book that really gives more depth to his story. 
emotional funny mysterious fast-paced
adventurous dark tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
adventurous emotional tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

I loved the extra insight and info this book provided to the Legends of Thezmarr series. I'm now in team read whatever Helen Scheuerer writes. I'm glad I went for the emotional impact series reading order. 
adventurous emotional mysterious tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
adventurous challenging emotional medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

I really loved this. I’m reading it in the "emotional damage" order, so I’m not sure how it would hold up as a standalone, maybe it would leave you with more questions than answers. But there’s so much in it that resonates, especially the idea that experiencing deep trauma doesn’t mean you’re at fault. 

I find Talemir and Drue wildly entertaining, more so than Thea and Wilder, and it's probably why I enjoyed this one a lot more.

In terms of reading it in this order, I find it ironic that
Wilder pulls Talemir out of his own head, but somehow seems to make a mess of things himself. Talk about pot calling the kettle black.