Loved this as much as the first book. 

This one focused on Jordan. The story meandered more. Only the last two chapters really dealt with the synopsis, though there were some bits in the previous ones. There was an overall theme of fitting in and learning about yourself but not an overarching plot that ran through the entire book. More like anecdotes as examples of the themes. So it made it a little harder to stay focused chapter to chapter but it was still enjoyable.

Maybe I should watch the movie if there is one. I was into it at first but 2/3rds of the way through I got bored. I finally finished it and the ending is just nothing. This is like lit fiction, which I don't like because it's aimless. I was mostly okay with this because I thought we'd have one character come to some conclusion. Did I even read the right version. I don't know and don't care. But the digital page number was 400+ pages so I think I did. What are they going to do with their lives? I don't know, which is frustrating. But I'm glad it's over., lol.

Well this was a surprise 5 stars. I thoroughly enjoyed this. Way more than I expected. I was laughing out loud at parts. Also it's set in NYC. I need the Riverdale is the Bronx discussion to happen, lmao. I liked the themes in this though a bit sad kids this age have to go through these things. 

That was kind of mind blowing. 

This was a very interesting premise. I understand why she did it but I don't think I could keep up the act for so long. It's didn't end the way I thought it would. But also I think she really believed she was pregnant after awhile, which helped the believability. I'm 38 with no children but am sad to say I can identify with her. This is not drama-filled. And the latter half is more stream of conscious, so it can get boring. Her job sounds mind-numbing, lol. Not my usual cup of tea but it's nice stepping outside my comfort zone every once in awhile. I didn't love it but I enjoyed it.

This was a nice continuation.

I don't remember what I rated the last book but this one was better. And having read this I see clearer how the previous one was set up for this one. And both mimic in a way the first two books of the Black Jewels series. But they are still different enough without seeming like carbon copies or like the author is beating a dead horse by having similar themes. 

Where the previous book dealt with acknowledging and dealing with a corruption in society, this one focuses on young men and women coming together in a school like setting to figure themselves out. There are other themes and plot lines as well. I really liked how everything with Saetien was written. I admit to having conflicting feelings about her character before.  Possibly because there has been bigger evil and maliciousness with intent in this series. 

The plotline with the group at the Hall with Daemon was great. We didn't get this much detail in the original trilogy of how the First Circle formed and how they dealt with each other daily and I always regretted that. This is not the same though, these young people are not as are of themselves, not as strong, and not under the pressure to save the world basically. They are not all friends, so different dynamics. 

Butler was a surprise. As was Wilhemina. One I wound up enjoying. And the plotline with Jillian was hilarious. I'm glad because that could have been a mess. I went into this expecting nostalgia to carry it for me like the previous book did to an extent. But the plot showed more purpose than rehashing the past. And similar to other offshoot of the original trilogy we get to see outsiders perspectives on what happened before during and after the war, but this time in Khaeleer. As always I love the characters and themes explored in this book. Will there be another? Probably. I need to cry over Sadi, so there better be.

The frustration I feel. How could it end like this? This is the most frustrating cliffhanger ever. And this is the lowest I've rated a book in this series in a long time.

Asher, Richard and their issues pop back up in this book. We get a supernatural bad guy plot line that is not resolved; barely even kicks off actually. A big metaphysical thing finally happens but the aftermath we don't know yet. And not even the police case is solved. I'm just mad it ended after some of the most frustrating scenes because there's no resolution. No okay they figured something out to make me feel better. 

None of this is to say I didn't like the book. I'm just feeling the characters feelings and none of them are happy or even content because nothing is finished. I wonder if she needed to get this out so split the story into two books. Not that a plot hasn't carried over into multiple books before but it's been awhile. You just know they are all frustrated with each other's issues. When is Slay coming out? I need it asap.