I didn't realize that book 2 was going to be a prequel to book 1 (I clearly didn't look into it enough before diving right into reading), but I was so happy that it was.

Honestly, you could probably read the first two books in either order and it would make sense. I almost wish I had read this book before the Hidden King because I love Ninian and I was able to read about him more in this book.

The best part was that I was able to read the love story from the beginning between Aed and Ninian. The love these two boys have for each other is just so sweet, and something that I wish I read more often in books. Not just a romance between two characters, but a story of two people who mutually inspire each other to live. And as Hayao Miyazaki says, "perhaps [that is] closer to portraying a true expression of love." EG Radcliff definitely shows that here.

*I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.