W O W! This is how sequel is done well!

While I did enjoy the first book very much, I couldn‘t hype it as I‘ve seen other people do. It was a good unique turn of a faerie story, I liked the characters, but I didn‘t understand much of the magic system or world building. Maybe because it was new to me to read a fantasy set in a historical place, in a place we know from this world.

However, this book turned everything upside down. Starting the sequel has thrown me directly into new action. We see the outcome of the battle at the end of book one. Much time has passed, or hasn‘t it? You feel confused, just like the character; start hoping for some better outcome, just like the character; you feel the pain just like her. While I first thought the beginning was rather slow, filled with action for the sake of it, it became sooner a story filled with secrets, history and magic. I must admit that the first part only kept me reading for the sake of finally arriving where the characters wanted to arrive. Eventually, when they got there, things got serious and I couldn‘t stop reading. I wanted to know more, wanted to realize why things happened the way they did, and it was so so well done! It was fast paced with certain scenes to slow it down, to give us some time to breathe before leaping into a new action-filled scenario that kept us breathless all over again.

I loved the new take of faerie history we get to discovery in this one. Which only made me realize how much I love the idea of faeries in stories, generally. Elizabeth May did create an unique turn of faeries and what exactly they are, and I enjoyed every single moment of this read.

The characters felt real, too. Focused on what is before them, each of them also handles their past in their own way. We don‘t get unnecessary drama, but instead a story of bonding, love and friendship.

And I will forever love Derrick. And Kiaran. My boys.