Even though I felt literally the entire range of human emotions during this book, I feel in my soul that it was a three star read for me. Full review will come after I have had time to digest. Cuz I am EXHAUSTED.
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WHY WAS THE BOOK SO STRESSFUL. I have so many feelings. I feel like I went through the entire spectrum of human emotion while listening to this audiobook. And DESPITE ALL THAT STRESS, it was only a three star read. UGH.

I really enjoyed the first book of this series, Renegades, and I thought it set up a lot of interesting plotlines moving forward. And then this… felt like a filler book? It’s crazy to me that I think this considering the fact that I was anxious throughout its entirety, but it was SO SLOW! Looking back on it, nothing really happened? The focus shifted so deep into the minds of Nova and Adrian that I felt suffocated at times. When people say that Order of the Phoenix was too angsty and too much in Harry’s head? I don’t agree with that notion at ALL, but it FELT LIKE THAT in this book. There were SO many chunks of just Nova or Adrian rambling on about their feelings and blah blah and even though I LOVE THEM I was still like… oh my god there are way more important things happening right now and THIS is what they’re focusing on?! Just ANGST ANGST ANGST.
AND since we are so deeply rooted inside their minds, all the other characters got pushed to the side. The Anarchists, who were my favorite characters in Renegades, were almost non-existent. I MISSED THEM SO MUCH. We got a little Honey, but I WANT MORE PHOBIA, DAMNIT. Even the little parts we got with Ace, who was like, the BIGGEST REVEAL of the first book, were rare and short. I still barely understand exactly the dynamic between Nova and Ace (like, is she afraid of him? Have they actually had heartfelt conversations in the last 10 years? What is happening.). Also, I still can’t believe that neither Nova’s NOR Adrian’s secret has been revealed. Like, Adrian’s did a little (I was sure he was gonna tell Nova in the end but got PLAYED), but now I’m gonna have to deal with BOTH in the finale? That just seems like a lot of fallout to recover from in one book.

So even with some plot and character issues, this book was still HELLA STRESSFUL. I feel like every other second Nova (ESPECIALLY NOVA, like oh my god girl had me scared for her life MULTIPLE times) or Adrian was doing something idiotically risky. I kept thinking Nova was on the verge of being found out because she was just… making straight up STUPID decisions. Ugh. (Also side note, but I’m realizing I totally root for the Anarchists in these books, lol. Like when Danna was being all shady and suspicious I was like, EW STAY AWAY FROM ME AND LET NOVA DO VILLAINOUS THINGS IN PEACE). There were also some really, really emotional moments in this one, too. I was SOBBING during the scene with Simon and Max and screaming when Nova and Adrian finally kissed. Just so many emotions, you guys.

I’m still really looking forward to the finale in this series. I would hope that the plot moves a little smoother given that Meyer has saved EVERYTHING for the final book. Like.. how on earth do people see an actual future for Nova and Adrian?! They have SO MUCH BAGGAGE and that’s not even considering the details we don’t know about, like his mom’s death and Nova’s family’s and good GOD. I really don’t have any predictions about what how this could possibly end, but I’m really hoping I get more Anarchists and that Ace doesn’t betray Nova in some stupid way that’s gonna make me wanna die. I’m excited to see Nova take her newfound power to a new level, and I’m glad there’s a bit of a wait before Supernova is released so I can really take some time and de-stress from this book. ALSO JUSTICE FOR WINSTON.