hopeful inspiring lighthearted slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: No
adventurous challenging emotional tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes

This book was wonderful, it was much darker than the first book but its plot was compelling and made me not want to put the book down. 

Also, I have officially read every Rebecca Ross book that is out to date! They’re all excellent and I recommend every single one of them!
fast-paced
adventurous dark emotional inspiring tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

Somewhere around 3.5 stars I think.

Ross' writing is undeniably beautiful, and I think it is the strongest part of this duology. The plot this time around was fairly engaging, but it leaned just a little too melodramatic for my tastes. The romance wasn't the main focus of the story, and yet it constantly tried to be. Since I've never been a fan of the main pairing, the pining between the two could get pretty tedious. This was especially true in the last few chapters with some false conflict after the major climax was finished.

I genuinely enjoyed how quickly I was able to fly through this book and I did have a decent time overall.

y i k e s

ALL THE STARS!!!
I am so so so sad that this is over. Such an amazing conclusion to the story. I love this world, I love the characters, and I love the plot--even though it was very neatly wrapped up, it was exactly what I needed to read in this moment. I also love that it is the women who are meant to run the world, and when a character states to the effect, "Be my lady and rule my lands" I was like YASSSSSSSSSSS--this is how it ALWAYS should be! :)
adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

3.5
I liked the first one better, but found this one very good too. There wasn’t as much love in it but I did enjoy the twists. I just wanted more Cartierrrrr

Slower book but still great storytelling. Loved how the ending was like a happily ever after! Will probably read more from her in the future.