daisylit 's review for:

City of Souls and Sinners by Kayla Edwards

5.0

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful informative mysterious reflective sad fast-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

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After finishing the first book, I dove straight into City of Souls and Sinners—and it definitely kept me hooked! The story picks up almost immediately, with Loren, Darien, and their friends still grappling with the fallout from Loren’s magic saving the city from the Well’s explosion. The first two books really complement each other, with the world-building and magic systems unfolding naturally alongside the plot. 

Loren comes into her own in this book, which was such a satisfying journey to watch. She takes the initiative to understand her powers, all while trying to protect those she loves—especially Darien. Even when she has to distance herself from her friends and loved ones, her selflessness and bravery shine through. I loved seeing her dig deeper into her heritage and not shy away from asking difficult questions. As for Darien, his character arc is equally compelling. He’s juggling grief, anxiety, and a whole new set of responsibilities, and I really felt for him as he navigated the political landscape around him. His growth, especially driven by his love for Loren and to protect his family, made his journey even more impactful. I also found myself wishing he would catch on a bit faster to some of the signs, but I think that made his development even more realistic. 

Max’s POV added a nice change of pace and gave us more insight into his character and his relationship with Dallas. It was interesting to see their dynamic unfold, and Max’s perspective, alongside Darien’s, really helped flesh out the world and the power structures at play. 
As one of the big plot points, Darien is facing mounting pressure to take down his father’s illegal arms trade, which leads to the darker side of Angelthene starts to come to light—women disappearing, secrets being revealed. It’s all building toward something big. 

Loren’s curse by the Impetrator amps up the tension as she’s forced to locate the Well and open more of the Veil. She’s constantly being watched, but her ability to outmaneuver her situation and continue pushing forward made this a pivotal part of her growth. Learning that the source of everyone’s powers came from the same Well Loren was created from added a layer of mystery, and I’m excited to see where it all leads. Meanwhile, Darien takes over Randal's spot and has to navigate the tricky political landscape of Angelthene. The more detailed intro to Malakai, the Reapers, and a deeper look at Angels and Werewolves brought even more depth to the world. (Shoutout Sabrine and Logan)

There are plenty of lighter moments too—like the school dance, Loren and Darien being lovers, and the Devils just being themselves. Their banter and chemistry are a nice balance to the more serious moments. Loren and Darien’s wit, especially, was a highlight and made me smile. Honestly. all of the characters made me grin at different points. Also - I want to learn more about Ivy and Jack and their relationship!

The finale had me on edge, with Loren doing everything she could to protect those she loves. The ending left me with so many questions, concerns, and I can’t wait to see where the third book will take us!