I kept putting off reading this because I loved the first book but kind of hated how it ended. The setup from that book meant this book was going to start off on an angsty note.

In general I'm just not a fan of romances that involve memory wipes for drama, and I didn't want to read a whole book of Iris and Roman being separated and Roman not even knowing who Iris is. I was glad that he figures things out and they get to interact a lot sooner than I expected.

Ultimately, I think this is a strong duology. The main plot of the war of gods and how humans are pawns in their battles mirrors the sensation of powerlessness and chaos from the actual World Wars. The romance is compelling and the epistolary aspect of the letters going back and forth enhances it. The comradery and bravery of the characters helping Iris and Roman are heartwarming, and contrasted well with the more selfish and ruthless behavior of the antagonists. 

Sometimes I read a book that's not the best written, but the story and characters make it fun. Sometimes I read a book that I can tell was written well, but I just don't like what it's about. This series has been one of those special cases where the writing feels expertly crafted and the story and characters are worthy of all the intricately woven prose.