4.18 AVERAGE


Always impressed when #2 of a series can take a good story and make it great, and that's exactly what this book did!

I had to drag myself through the first half of the book - it was slow, and I struggled to stay engaged. But it was worth it. Unpredictable twists, brutal battles and the emotional damage this book caused me??
emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated
adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious 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: Complicated
adventurous dark emotional tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: No

Slow to start but strong and complex finish. Really enjoying this series. 
adventurous emotional slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: No
adventurous challenging dark emotional 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: Complicated

I loved this even more than book 1 - I felt like all the pieces I was questioning after the first book, all came together. The smallest hints I totally missed from earlier in the book/and previous book were revealed beautifully, I thought it was masterfully written. I love how the romance takes a back seat but still helps the story along - the fantasy world is captivating enough on its own! 
adventurous emotional hopeful medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: No
adventurous challenging dark medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated
adventurous dark emotional medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

No second book syndrome here! First half with the war and third pov confused me a bit, but I caught on pretty quickly about the new character, and then the pieces fell into place during the second half. A gripping and emotional ending that sets up book 3 nicely. One of the best fmc/mmc duos in the genre.