Okay, this was so much better than book 1. Like, I've never been able to feel the author's own development as a writer and story-teller as I did with Laini Taylor between Daughter of Smoke and Bone and Days of Blood and Starlight.

Karou is so much more likable here and I'm rooting for her in every way possible; I want the chimaera to trust her again, and follow her into a new world of peace with the angels; I want her to forgive herself for her past; I want her to find peace with what has happened with Brimstone and Loramendi, and with her love for Akiva. And I'm so happy that Akiva and Karou diverged paths for the entire novel because they were able to develop their own motivations and characters without the dependency on each other. So refreshing.

Some issues here and there but overall, great reading experience; the plot was fast-paced, and the characters developed exceptionally. Cannot wait to read book 3!