The second book in the Rook & Rose trilogy! The story picks up where the first one left off, Ren our con artist, Grey our vigilante, and Vargos, our crime lorde all reunite to save their city from the slow corruption of dark and dangerous magic. The complicated relationship between the three character grows and with all their secrets and alliances, their dynamics were so well done in this book. I loved the further world building and magic system that this book has and the DRAMA, the SECRETS, it was just such a delightful read. Ren is still reeling from the death of her friend in the previous book and still is suffering from nightmares of the things she’s experienced in the previous book. She is now officially registered as nobility and is on the hunt to find out why Vargos betrayed her and if she can truly uncover who The Rook is, and her complicated feelings for both The Rook and the Vigil Captain Grey. Grey is juggling his identity as a captain and as a vigilante, with so many secrets to keep, trusting Ren is something he will have to figure out if he can do. Vargos and his little spider spirit friends were EVERYTHING, he is a complex villain..... sort of. He has goals and the way he goes about things isn’t exactly ethical, but he also has emotions, and longings, and grieves over his decisions. Ren and Vargos are both vying to get into a secret society... but soon find themselves facing magic that is dark and soon the only way to save the city and themselves is to join together and find a common ground. The highlight for me throughout this book was the relationship growth between Ren and Grey. I absolutely shipped them last book and to see the chemistry and the romance grow between two people so full of secrets who just want to be loved for themselves? perfection. Another great aspect of this book was the friendship between Vargos and Ren (and of course Vargos’s little spider buddies who I definitely need more of in the third book). I love the complicated relationships portrayed in this book, friends, enemies, lovers, family, and so on. This was a great continuation of the story and for me it definitely did outshine the first book!

*Thanks Netgalley and Orbit Books, Orbit for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*