This is maybe the darkest of the riordan universe that I’ve read

There are some books that demonstrate the importance of community and their histories so beautifully it is hard to describe, this is one of those books. 

Daunis’s love for her tribe and her family is fierce and her struggle to reconcile her racist grandma with her native side is so raw and real, this being woven into the story really is what pushes it over the edge of being so good for me. 

While the story itself about meth deals and drug addiction in the community is a hard reality for Daunis to face, the author’s choice to ultimately have Mike get away, with her brother and his best friend taking the fall made it more real. Boulley weaves a tense reality of today, how high stakes crimes such as kidnapping, drug trafficking, and murder go uncharged to white criminals while those with darker skin take the on the full brunt of the law. Or in Daunis’s case, receive zero justice if wronged by a white man. While this is a hard resolution to read it is a real and deeply disturbing message that deserves to be heard. 

I loved particularly the points in this book where the elders came to Daunis’s aid by learning how to use their phones, Daunis’s aunt and her ever present and fierce love for her niece, and Daunis’s mom and her growth at explaining to Daunis how she owns her choices and just wants to be there for her. 

A good conclusion to the first story, however did not have as much hope and enthusiasm as the first. 

I think this is a really wonderful book for those struggling, it is a really good reminder to find joy where you can, I loved those parts of it 

Cute lil gay board game shop mystery

I enjoyed it but for what it is and its dark themes the way it’s written is very interesting, more akin to like a light little quippy romance. Which keeps it interesting but makes the points of levity of beheadings and all that seem way off? Maybe that changes in book 2 as Evie becomes more villain like herself and it’s from her perspective?

I’m not sure this complaint actually matters because obviously the book was written this way intentionally… I just struggle internally with like light ways of discussing murder I guess? Idk

Like I said though, I enjoyed it and will be going on to book 2 when it comes out. I do think the twist with her Dad is good and not super obvious.

There are so many plot holes in this book it is insane

My brain hurts 

3.75/5

I liked the conclusion of this book and series a lot, but the chapters leading up to the end didn’t have as much heart as the rest of the series, it just kind of pushed us to the end without adding tons more substance. 

While this is still an interesting read it lacks as much intrigue as book 1 did, not as much happened and the main interest shifts to daughter rather than mother.