I would give this book 5 stars, but I can't. The reason? Fitz Vacker. While it is obvious he will not stay with Sophie, this temporary arrangement is wrong in every way. I recently saw something saying he is borderline abusive. The person who said that is wrong. He IS abusive. When angry, he turns on other people, blaming them for things they could not control (like Alden's memory breaking in Exile, or Alvar getting away in this book [he lied when he said he didn't blame Sophie. The coldness and the state spoke otherwise]). He is violent when even the smallest thing goes wrong (throwing things mostly, but also when he attacked his brother). He also has an undying need for revenge. This is understandable, given what his brother did. However, shocking him for no reason, trying to kill him at that gate (an arm across the throat suggests attempted murder), actually about to stab him simply because it's "the only solution", and actually going through with it (minus the escape) all show he can not be trusted. When it comes down to it, Fitz is dangerous, and could put Sophie in more danger than anyone else has yet.

This may seem like a tirade against Fitz, and it partly is. However, Sophie did not act rationally either. She should have seen how dangerous he is by now, and should not have reassured him when she discovered the death of his brother was purposeful. Yes, believing you love someone can make you do crazy things, but she has shown she is rational even when dealing with emotion, yet that is not the case here. Murder was not justified. Other options were clearly available. His sanity might be in danger, but Sophie should have told Fitz the truth, otherwise he will only get worse. I understand she wants to protect him, but by now she has learned protection comes at a cost, and in this case it is not worth it. He has become so jaded the murder of Alvar, his own brother, did not even gaze him. Mr. Forkle warned him he would be no better than his enemies of he shocked his brother to prevent something that likely would not happen. Fitz has become like Vespera, though, and that is far worse.

I went off track again, and went on about Fitz. So, the final, final straw, is that Biana, Linh, Dex, Marella, among others still have diminished roles. Jensi wasn't even mentioned in this book, I think, and we were so close to a break through on Blur before. It is also really annoying that Sophie no longer has the lack Swan flashbacks. They were helpful before, and I feel like if they were played right, they could be helpful in this storyline. It is also annoying that with all the talks of flashbacks (and Flashback being the title of the book) we only get one sentence of that other memory. It is clearly a big piece, and very important to who Sophie could be, and yet we are left waiting.

We are also left waiting on Keefe's broken memories. These are another aspect to the story that feel very important, and yet they are hardly mentioned. The storyline could be much different if Messenger acknowledged this, along with Sophie's memory, a little more, giving more truth to the title than there actually is in the book.

Despite all the hate I'm giving this, I enjoyed the plot immensely, and I liked the (small) development of Team Foster-Keefe. They are good friends, that's for sure, and one day, maybe more. Still, I suggest reading the book, although if you don't at least find Fitz somewhat alarming at some point, I don't know what to tell you.