Re-read February 2021:
Some time apart from this book has really changed my view on it. Overall I felt this book kinda of boring. What is DOES do for the series: introduce more insight into the political structure and context, answer questions from the first book left like how the Darkling got away with what he did, and we see a *bit* of character development from Mal and Alina as they get their shit together and figure out their goals.
Other than that, I don't see a lot in this book. Obviously I love the introduction of Nikolai, though the end left me a little uncertain how I feel about Toyla and Tamar, I guess Ill have to see the kind of roles they play in the last novel, which I literally remember nothing about except the ending's "big reveal."
Alongside my re-read of the first book a year ago, I also think this one felt a little outdated with it's fatphobia and overall stress on the importance of everyone's physicality and if they're typically beautiful or ugly. Something that we don't get in Bardugo's novels anymore.

First read:
4.25 because I have to account for the slowness of this book.
Thinking back on this book (because it felt long) I remember the big scenes and important plot points, but I also remember the slow stuff that felt unnecessary. However, I still seriously enjoyed this book and OMG THE ENDING I DIDN'T SEE COMING! I love the way Leigh Bardugo does that I almost never knew what was going to happen, and when I did try to guess, my guesses were off.
I was also a little annoyed because the love triangle was still VERY present (if you could call it a triangle), and like a couple other aspects of this novel, unnecessary.
I loved the new characters Sturmhond, Tolya, and Tamar. They were really cool!
Okay, I have to go read the next one now...
Discussion of the trilogy on my YouTube channel!