It lived up my expectations, but in doing so, it sacrificed the elements that made this series unique for me. The story leans on familiar tropes, which play a crucial role in diminishing its distinctiveness - a quality that the previous book had so effectively established. It's not necessarily a flaw, it's just that I was expecting it to be a little different from what it turned out to be.  With that said, I had a great time with this book. It's no doubt one of my all-time favorite series now, and I can't wait to get my hands on the third book.

I truly appreciated the depth of the lore, but I couldn’t help but notice certain gaps that left me wanting more. Questions about the dragons—where they come from, what they feed on, where they live, and why they remain indifferent to humans unless summoned—remain unanswered. I hope future books delve deeper into the origins of magic and dragons.