This book was so beautifully written. For fans of the first, you are in for a treat. For those of you who have not read the first, make sure to read it, and then come back and read this. I happen to like this book even better.  

This book is emotional all throughout, deals with challenges of identity, and captures deep friendships in a way the first book did not. It also highlights the romance and struggles of the identity of the two main characters, but in a much different way than the first. You can definitely watch Ari as he matures throughout the novel. Culture and religion are also explored in such a lovely way.
This novel is so beautiful, and it comes highly recommended as one of my favorite books I have read this year.