How to rate this when the case wasn't solved and our guys are still at the push and pull stage.  Lot of mysteries. And its been too long since I read the last one. 

I like how simple this was. Great for beginner's like me. Some nice practices to start and ideas for an Ancestral Grimoire, plus ways to research ancestors. I recently was gifted her Antique Anatomy tarot and doing Ancestor work october prompts with it and picked this up fromt he library to augment. I read through it fairly quickly and have referred back to it often since. Time to get my own copy.

So, this is turning out younger than the first. Earning that new adult tag. I inhaled it anyway. Savage is definitely the most juvenile but in a playful, animalistic way. I don't know if that makes sense but he gives into his wolf-like nature and nobody ever stopped him. Anyway, now we're in a school setting that's pseudo prison-like. I don't quite get all the guys nor their motivations but I like them. I wonder who the 5th dude is. Also the friend group created is awesome. Bu I"m glad they all have some adultier adults around because the dad is worse.

Oh I loved this. The chemistry. Grumpy sunshine which is my fave romance trope. Devon being a closet cinnamon role romantic who likes to make lists. Reba who is a rainbow storm of fun. I'm glad to see them happy together in the end. And I may try making the rubik's cube cake. 

Much more cohesive. It feels like we're getting close to the big mystery of why all these things are happening. 

I do not like the art style but I enjoyed the story. It's intriguing if juvenile. Like there something serious buried within that will show over time. I do want to continue.

So I was all set to continue this series when it was pointed out that it was fatphobic. That went over my head but when explained I totally see it. The main character for his desserts made by his partner that are all low fat for reasons we are not told. The recipes are included as well as what makes them "healthier". But the partner seems to have taken this upon himself to "help" EVERY WEEK. Now I assumed the MC asked for this but that's not stated. There may be some internalized  fatphobia. It doesn't help that the MC is very reserved and in the closet.

I also caught the transphobic moments, though I thought those were on purpose. There is a character that sees herself as an ally when she's just othering those of the lgbt+ communities. Her talking to a coworker who is not out about what she wants out of these "friendships" and how she sees certain people is awkward and off-putting. The MC is not 100% trying to correct her because he's so worried about being found out as gay. But he's also not trans so he doesn't know all that's inappropriate. Anyway, I feel like I'm making a lot of excuses. I will say this is pretty realistic unfortunately. 

A good follow up to Ninth House. I have to admit I didn't reread the first book and it's been so long it took a minute to remember certain secondary and tertiary characters. This book doesn't give summaries of what happens to the first one but it refers to events and people there so you need that knowledge. But you can get away with no rereading, if being slightly confused doesn't bother you. 

Otherwise, I enjoyed this just as much as the previous one. It was a bit slow in the beginning. But I love slowly putting the puzzle pieces of history, ritual, magic, the supernatural and academia, together. Trip is a new fave character. This one doesn't end on as big a cliffhanger as Ninth House did. 

I kept putting off picking this up and it turned out this was the perfect time of year to read this.