Just sitting here, trying to think of how best to describe this book. Once again, the characters are just incredible. They are complex, shrouded in all kinds of shades of gray. I don't know who to trust. I know that someone will betray someone, or several someones, but still I read and I hope that somehow, they will overcome their different end goals to just work together. The thing is, each one of these characters has likable and redeeming qualities and each one has made some terrible and desperate decisions of which would normally paint them the villain of the story. And yet- I can't quite call any of them a villain.

Except these damn beings calling themselves 'gods'. *Shakes my fists*

In this stunning sequel to Wicked Saints, Nadya is struggling to understand what it is she can do, wresting with distrust of her own dark magic, the boy she loves and shouldn't, and what it is her goddess is asking of her. Serefin finds himself fending off beings in his head as he fights for control of himself and his mind. And then there is Malachiasz, at the front of complicated war within himself and what he is becoming.

They find themselves entwined together, each on the path to the same place with different goals, manipulated by beings and monsters. But who is it who is controlling the pieces on the board, hidden in the dark?

Listen, there were times when I was a bit confused as to what was happening. The world of these gods and monsters keeps expanding to the point where I am not quite sure who is truly the ones we are meant to be afraid of, but maybe that is the point? Although I felt that the plot and pacing of the story stumbled a couple of times, it all came together beautifully in the last third to quarter of the book.

And of course, I am so weak for Malachiasz and Nadya. Their relationship is just so complicated and infuriating and I love it all at the same time. The character building I think is truly phenomenal. I can see their struggled, their development, for better or worse, and it's believable and palpable and I feel as if I could pluck these characters right off of the page and they would hold up in the real world.

The climax and ending of course had me taut with suspense and even though a lot was happening, it all came together in an explosive, exciting finale that has left me eagerly anticipating the third and final installment.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martins Press, and Wednesday Books for the e-arc to review!