I liked this a little more than Graceling but not by much. 

The story was good and the world building was good. I was really intrigued by the whole "monsters" aspect but then confused because there are no "gracelings." 

It was really hard to connect the two books at all, besides the little devil at the beginning and end. So, it's kind of like it's a standalone book. 

In fact, I think if this wouldn't have been connected to Graceling, I would have liked it more. There's so much disconnect because she's describing an entire different world/concept. 

I read a review and someone stated that this book was like watching a long chess match and she is so right! It was all calculated and a bit boring at times. 

Then there's the relationships. Oh my gosh. Ugh. 

Archer and Fire... I was so annoyed! He's like obsessed with her and she friend zoned him with benefits. He's constantly telling her that he will stop sleeping with a hundred girls, if she will just marry him. Really?! Then she still sleeps with him after she knows this, its annoying. It also bothered me that she was so nonchalant about his all his partners, like it was no big deal to her. *rolls eyes* 

It took me a while to warm up to Brigan but I still didn't feel that connection between them.

Honestly, now that I'm thinking about it, I might have to cut my losses and donate the third book in this series. I just don't know that I care for the author's writing and storytelling that much. It's not bad but maybe not for me. I really liked what she did but I wish she would have expanded more and maybe not diverged so much, if she was making it a series. 

You can see my review here: Books Are The New Black