I'm not even sure where to begin with this review, but I get the love for this series now. This book gave me everything I was missing from book one, and while I cannot say that it speaks to my soul in the same way as ACOTAR, I feel like this book is going to be the lynchpin of the series for me. 

First and foremost, yup, I'm on board with Luther now! His character development is gorgeously done, keeping you guessing while equally giving you reassurance that, under the bravado and the mask of the Prince, he is exactly who you're hoping he'll be. From the fairly generic shadow daddy of book one to this, the writer has really upped her game to make him one of the swoonworthy MMCs currently filling the shelves. And oh, my goodness, the sweet torture of the slowest of burns! The writing is teasing, tense and tantalising, and while one part of me just wants to yell at the characters to jump eachother's bones already, the other part is revelling in the UST, the overprotective brooding and the silent yearning... so good!

I also adore each member of the found family. This small band of people are all so well drawn, I believe wholeheartedly in every last one. I could perhaps have done with a little more resistance to the change in order, but it's so enjoyable and sweet that it's only a little something in the back of my mind. But each of them bring something to the table that gives the whole premise a nice balance. Likewise, those characters who oppose the new order are equally brilliant - you are right there with Diem trying to work out who you can trust, and it's very easy to fervently despise those who get on her bad side. 

I think the only character I struggled with was Henri. I can understand his feelings of loss, confusion and anger, but I'm not convinced by Diem and Henri's mixed feelings for eachother, nor their struggle to cut ties or become closer. And Diem's continuance of clinging to their relationship, even after he has shown her repeatedly the type of man he can be, just doesn't quite fit for me with the rest of her personality.

There are some big old emotional moments in this book that are so well written and conjure some incredible images in the mind. The set pieces are all so vivid, it really is like watching a movie inside your head. Likewise, some of the smaller heart-to-hearts or other little touches also shine thorough, making the whole feel layered and so effective. And that ending! So many questions, but so good!

Like with 'Catching Fire', I like book 2 more than book 1 because I'm familiar with the characters and the setting, and so the worldbuilding from scratch is no longer required. However, in this book it just keeps building, with more details about the various other realms, the history of Lumnos and the workings of Descended society playing very important roles. It is a lot to take in and it did make my head spin a little, but it does help that you're learning a lot of this information alongside the main character, so it feels less if an info-dump and more like you finding your feet with her.

I have downloaded the bonus chapter and will be reading that shortly, and then it's onto book 3! I'm prepared for a painful cliffhanger and a cry of 'but when's book 4 coming?!'. Here's hoping there might be news of that from the author's mouth at RARE in July!