Last summer I read The Glittering Court, and that was my very first Richelle Mead book. Oh, how I’ve grown since then. I mean, I’m still really short, but I’ve grown as a reader. Look at me now! Richelle Mead is my second favorite author of all time, and VA and BL have the second and third spots on my all time favorite series list, respectively.

But anyway. I’m sure no one is surprised that I absolutely loved this book. I’m also sure I would’ve read this in about a day, like I did with TGC, if only I didn’t have school.

I definitely enjoyed this book more TGC; where that one was great, this was spectacular. It was a perfectly paced story with a kickass lead, a gruff and witty love interest, wonderful girl friendships, and a swoon-worthy slow-burn romance. The story itself was really good too, with an A+ blend of parties, sleuthing, gowns, and fighting.

And as per usual with any of Richelle’s books, it was extraordinarily painful in the last 25%. Her writing causes the best kind of pain, and between that and the plentiful banter I just can’t stay away. I’m obsessed.

And now I have to wait for next summer, when the third and final* book in this trilogy comes out. I think it’s about Tamsin, and I hope it is. So much was revealed about her throughout this book and I’m curious.

*No, I don’t know what I’ll do when I’m done with the third book. Pray desperately for more YA from Richelle as soon as possible sounds like the most realistic option. (Preferably something set in the VA/BL world featuring those characters, but I’ll take anything.)