This book was so different from the first, but still enjoyable in every way!

Yarvi isn't a main character in this one, but we still get to see his cunning and plotting behind the scenes. Some of the things he does, I'm just like WOW. We need more characters like him who act using their intellect rather than a sword. He reminded me in some ways of Aly from the Trickster's duology, except he's more ruthless.

Thorn is just an amazing character. She's not 100% likeable, but it makes sense for what she's gone through. I loved seeing her train and grow as a warrior throughout the book. That scene in the First of Cities was epic and crazy! Though that final battle was sort of anticlimactic. I wasn't expecting Gorm to just suddenly change his mind because his new minister was yelling at him...I guess it worked for where this trilogy is headed, but I wanted Thorn to end it right there and win all the glory lol

Brand is soft. He just cares so much and tries to do good and like ASDFKSDJ he deserves the best in the entire world! His character development throughout this book was my favourite. I feel like his relationship with Thorn might not be the best? I get that Thorn has a "moment of realization" near the end of the book and starts to change for the better, and we see in the last couple of chapters that their relationship is a lot of work. I guess since I'm so used to couples in books ending up together and living happily ever after, that I'm not used to a more realistic look into a relationship. Brand points out that he thought the start of the relationship would be the end of working, but now that he's in a relationship, the work has actually begun. And I really liked that message. I think it's something readers of all ages need to hear. Like Father Yarvi also said, their strengths and weaknesses balance each other out, and because of that they can work well together. So I guess I do like them together. I am worried for the next book though cause of the impending war...

As for the plot and pacing, most of the book takes place on the journey up the Divine and down the Denied. It felt a lot like the first LOTR book or even The Hobbit. There's stops and skirmishes that occur, but overall it did feel a lot slower than the first book, which is probably why it took me longer to read.

Another complaint I have is the spelling and grammar errors. There were a few that had me stopping mid-paragraph. Besides that, the wording also bothered me. It felt choppy or incomplete. Or it didn't flow well with the rest of the paragraph. Sometimes, I would have to reread a sentence because I read it wrong the first time.

The quotes in this book though...I don't know how Joe Abercrombie comes up with them, but if I ever reread this trilogy, I'm going to have to highlight them.

One that stood out for me:

"Power means having one shoulder always in the shadows."

Really looking forward to finishing up this series. I have a feeling the last book is going to be a wild ride.