3.75 stars I just finished this book for a second time. In my first read-through of the trilogy, I gave the first book 5 stars and this book was a solid 4 stars for me. In my re-read, I'm noticing a few things that I didn't think about the first time, 4 years ago. I think I am just a more critical reader now than I was then. Or perhaps it has to do with the fact that this time through I am listening to the stories on audiobook, which has highlighted a few things that caused me to rate them differently. Ultimately, I still kept my official rating at 4 stars for this second book, although my technical rating is slightly lower.

My main gripe, if you can call it that, is Deuce. I really enjoy her as a character for the most part, and I like that she is strong and isn't a liability in a fight. She more than holds her own. But not a chapter goes by without the reader being reminded that she is a skilled fighter. It was also like this in the first book, but in this one it manifests itself into her complaining every five seconds because the people who took her in are requiring her to go to school, something she finds pretty much worthless. I find her attitude towards school a little out of character, to be honest, considering her curiosity in the first book about reading and learning things about life prior to the apocalypse. But really, the first half of the book is primarily her complaining about how she's all grown up and these people can't teach her anything she hates dresses and sewing and blah, blah, blah. Even later in the book as she begins to appreciate the town of Salvation and the people who live there, we are still reminded over and over again that she is a huntress. She is far more skilled than anyone else. Every time someone in a position of authority gives an order, she lets the reader know exactly what she thinks about it and why. It gets just the tiniest bit insufferable.

I liked the sections of the book with Mama Oaks and Edmund (Forgive me if I'm mis-spelling the names. It's been years since I read the actual text.) and her learning to be part of the family. But even then, we are treated to how wonderful and special she is because after years of being estranged, Deuce visits the Oaks' son once and it leads to a family reunion. But I did like the fish-out-of-water aspect of this book as it continued from the first book. Deuce was finally beginning to understand her place in the world and then she and her friends are taken in by salvation and she has to start all over again.

Again, I really enjoy this book and this series, but I don't need to be hit over the head with how amazing the main character is. Her character would've proven that just with her actions. I don't need her telling the reader how she's so much better at everything combat-related than anyone else.