I still don't think this necessarily needed to be a duology? The first book had felt really drawn out to me, and there were parts of this book that were just super slow. The pacing was uneven, and I think that's partly because it was drawn out into two books. But, looking at Marissa Meyer's other books, it's not really surprising that she's long-winded in this one as well. 

However, this book does have a satisfying ending, and of course, the way Meyer plays with the Rumpelstiltskin myth is different and new and unique. Especially there at the end. Overall, this isn't my favorite from Marissa Meyer, but I do think that fans of her writing will still enjoy this one!