I'm not sure how I feel about this one. I liked it, definitely. But I adored the first one so much that compared to Children of Blood and Bone, I'm not sure how to feel about Children of Virtue and Vengeance. However, the ending of CVV makes me super excited for the third book! So I would say it might just be "second book syndrome" that strikes again in this trilogy.

The stakes in CVV were definitely higher than in CBB.

Spoiler

Now that magic is back, the maji clans are so powerful and I loved seeing them try and really learn how to use their magic. I also think due to high stakes, the sacrifices that were made hit a lot harder. I also loved Zélie's ascension to the Elder position and her really growing into the role but also having to learn to accept the responsibility that lays with it.