This was very well-written. I loved the conversations on mental health (especially in the Black community), the precious care given to Yasmen’s struggles, and the second chance at love. The author made me feel actual emotions for Yasmen and Josiah. Not to mention the book was funny too. I was rooting for these two the whole time.

This is basically a 5-star read for me, but I’m tempted to remove a star due to the PTA love scene. I’m sorry (not really) but that mess turned me off. Y’all go somewhere with that. I know their burning passion was on the level of horny teenagers, but y’all need to do better than that. Get a room! LOL

Anyway, I’d be interested in reading more from this author. 

The Filipino myths were interesting, but the execution was confusing.

I thought this would be solely African/Nigerian-influenced, but it was more multicultural than I expected. Not a bad/good thing just an observation. Personally, I had a little trouble differentiating the different racial groups: there were non-magical white ppl, Asian people(?), and the black/Nigerian people. Most importantly the Oluso was the only magical people, but it seemed like any race could be Oluso though it seemed to be predominantly black characters. 

Anyway, the love triangle was so very unserious. Not for ONE MINUTE did I think the other dude had a chance. Like, if y’all don’t stop playing. I generally love enemies to lovers or in this case misunderstood lovers, but I didn’t feel anything at all for Demi and Jonas. Or, any of the characters really. I had no strong feelings either way. Demi just needed comfort in the form of kisses and Jonas just had too much guilt in him; not enough to make a relationship. Colin was just there to make it a trio.

Demi as a character was okay. She had a need to overextend herself and prove her worthiness. She had no regard for her own safety because she was always trying so hard to save someone else. 
There are a lot of action-packed, reverse uno moments, but it couldn’t keep my interest. Like, at one point, someone literally explodes. I was very tempted to dnf this around the 200-mark, but I kept reading because I was so close to the end. 

Also, the ending...

Oluso has been demoralized and disenfranchised their entire lives. Oluso are never supposed to kill others or their magic will turn on them. Ewenski apparently fines a loophole. He's one of those the odds justify the means type of people. 

Demi however is immediately souled out to the thinking that the oppressed will become the oppressor. I don't know about that. Protecting and defending yourself are two different things. Who said they were going to put the ajes in enslavement? I don't doubt Ewenski's going to go too far, but it's unrealistic that Demi's going to change the Oluso's minds without any internal conflict.

 

As a positive, the cover is so GORGEOUS. Looking at it hung stars in my eyes. The story is easy to read, but I won’t finish this duology. It lost my interest and left me with pure indifference.

 Two of the biggest mysteries have been solved for Sorceline and her crew, but new revelations are still popping up. Also, the layout for page 60 – 61 is TERRIBLE there is no reading direction indicated. 

Overall, this was dark and emotional and didn’t shy away from the implications of death. It honestly may be too intense for younger readers. The ending went in an interesting direction, so I’d read book 3. 

unfortunately, this story couldn't keep my interest. it was too dry for me. the sultan felt like a cartoon villain. I understand the grief from his wife and all, but he felt hammy from what I read. I will say I was pleasantly surprised to see a spark of humanness in him before he went into the usual diatribe 'the love you have for others is what makes you weak hahahahah'

zafira was kind of just there but I understood her motivation for magic. if something was just beyond your fingertips, wouldn't you look for it too?

Good. There's a much needed character sheet at the beginning. The artwork is dynamic and the violence is cruel, but it works so well. But I hate how similar Oumi and Soktara look; they have the same haircut and expressions, so it's difficult to tell the two of them apart.

This book kind of requires a refresher from volume one, but I pieced it together okay. I'm still intrigued by the world and would read another volume. 

 The lore and worldbuilding grows in this volume. I really like this series' zany One Piece-like proportions, but at times the artwork can be slightly difficult to decipher.

We get the slightest glimpse at Stud's parents/a flashback (who really knows), which shows they are as fun as Stud.