Honestly, I think this could be labeled Adult fiction. Also, it’s your favorite cousin: Do the ends justify the means?

The character descriptions still aren’t very defined; what Scholars and Illustians and Martials look like feels like soup ingredients bobbing about, at random. I don’t know how many times Quil’s appearance changed. 

BUT I was thoroughly engulfed in the story and quickly warmed to the characters. Quil’s struggle with his parentage, fear of corruption, and secrets were compelling. His relationship with his aunt is also strained but interesting. He's so overprotective and always steeling his emotions because he feels deeply.

I figured out a major plot point fairly quickly, but the journey to everyone else figuring it out was still thrilling. Anyway, I’m here for the rest of this duology!

SN: And I love that the next-generation characters had distinct personalities. Also, the powers here are cool from tracking abilities to mind reading to wind-control.   

ending spoiler:

AHHHHHH, Sirsha bonded that demon to her!!! Also, I still have a soft spot for the Aiz - Cero connection.

Deeply unsettling but interesting, this story has a murky 'water cup for the paintbrushes' quality. Its depressive theme still has the littlest bundle of hope around the corner.  The worldbuilding isn't defined, but I enjoy the Spirited Away vibes

At first, I thought this was just barely serviceable especially since Neopets has a lot of fun lore to work with. 

But I liked the internal struggle Seraphina had with her ostracization, loss of powers, and inability to stop loving

The Healing Fairy, Marina

as well as the constant conflict with Sabre-X, a former hardened warrior who protects the master emerald the giant omelet with his life.

SN: some of the font is ugly. 

 So, this takes a sharp dive into Egyptology in a way that was overpowering compared to book one. The vampire business is still there but much more in the background.

Raven is still adjusting to her new powers and the voices (souls) in her head. But her smart mouth hasn’t changed. I still love her narrative voice so so much. She’s so funny.

I felt like the trials took up the brunt of the story, so it felt as if the characters were only ever in two locations. After a while, all the snakes and hellish creatures got repetitive. I don’t know if I’d have enjoyed this more if I had been more familiar with the Egyptian gods.

Still, a good bit of escapism

3.5 

The body language in this volume was stellar (when Cath was reading to Levi 10/10). Levi is a little too charming, can't tell if he's genuine or just a smarmy playboy.

Also, the distance between the twins has grown wider. Wren really wants to be an individual but it feels like to Cath she wants nothing else to do with her. (I understand where both sisters are coming from).