“He allows everyone to think the worst of him, and all the while, he sacrifices everything he wants for the betterment of others.”

If I had a nickel for every case of mistaken identity in this series....

I absolutely love Brigid Kemmerer, but the first 60% of this book was excruciating (and this is coming from someone that rated Defy the Night 5 stars). I felt like I was watching as this hit every negative stereotype about second books with ease and agility. Not only did nothing happen, but when something did happen it was extremely annoying.

Neither Corrick nor Tessa felt like themselves in this book. They were both given to flying off the handle and taking everything personally, which was especially surprising coming from Corrick - considering that his entire character is built around his inability to express his emotions. As for Tessa, she was naive and childish and not in the way that I think she was meant to be. More in the way of, "who decided to bring this moronic child on board a political expedition, as she is giving away state secrets to the captain on DAY ONE?"

Not to mention the odd male chauvinistic aspects? That were so weird? The weird competition between Rian and Corrick was both juvenile and so exceedingly stereotypical, creating tension where none was needed. I understand why Corrick said it, but the "I could have had you anytime I wanted...." line was so fucking icky? And I think it was meant to be hot, which is even weirder. Especially in a YA novel.

Honestly, Harristan saved this book for me. His parts were admittedly minor, but I was grateful to be in his perspective every time and to learn more about him. Even the plot with his kingdom was a breath of fresh air compared to being on the damn boat listening to Corrick be an ass and Tessa be a child.

I sound like I hated this and I didn't. I actually enjoyed the last 40%, even if I was rolling my eyes. I just loved book one so much that I wanted better from this book and I'm really sad that it was just okay.

However! The end redeemed the book to some degree and I do think that the series finale is going to be much more up my alley. As for this one though... this is what everyone thinks Siege and Storm is lol.