4.5 stars.

I really enjoyed this book! It was a big boy too, but it certainly didn’t feel like it.
This is a tough subject matter, but I think it was handled well, and really made you think.
I also loved Dani and sage’s relationship. I wish we had seen more of his growth and acceptance, but I did enjoy the dynamic.
I also really loved Ansel and want to see more of his story. His and Dani’s friendship was really beautiful.
I have to admit I was reluctant to read this book because of the student/teacher thing, but Lachlan and Dani’s relationship was so much more than that, I really loved how he helped her heal. I do think, however that this book could’ve greatly benefited from some bits in Lachlan’s POV, just to see what he was thinking and feeling. This was what was really missing for me.
This is a great book and I enjoyed it immensely. Definitely recommend giving it a go!

When I first read the Poppy War, I wasn’t at all impressed, and had absolutely no intentions of continuing. I think, because I didn’t realise just how dark this series is.
But getting my head around that, and knowing what to expect, I tackled this book and I am so glad I did.
This book was incredible.
The characters are flawed, they’re struggling with so many things, but they try, and they’re lovable.
This book is very dark. There’s death and violence, and a lot of dark subject matter so please check trigger warnings.
But there is also triumph here. There’s laughter, there’s a love.
I loved this book and can’t wait to read the last one.

This was a solid book. It had romance, it had magic, it was lighthearted at times, and serious in others.
It didn’t wow my socks off, but I did enjoy it.
Darius is lovely, and Lakira was sweet.
Nya was awesome and I enjoyed her a lot.
I do think the world building, especially at the start could’ve been much better, especially when describing the girl’s powers and the thief kingdom. I had to string the dots together on my own from what I guessed.
I also like how it doesn’t stray from some touchy subjects.
The audiobook narrators are awesome and I enjoyed it a lot!

I’m so torn with this book.
On one hand, I loved the magic system and what happens, and the cast of characters.
On the other hand, the binders aren’t explained until literally 300 pages in (of 555). I mean, I gathered what they were, but it was never explained.
Then, things plod along for 480 pages, with bits happening that aren’t entirely relevant, then bam! Those last 70 pages everything happens.
Also, there is another book to this. It’s not a stand-alone, so be prepared when starting this, it won’t be finished.
As I said, the cast were great. I love Attis and Rowlands in particular and I’d love to see more of Oliver. There was some truly beautiful writing in it as well, but this book was a bit of a slog. Not anything I considered DNFing, but definitely a slog.

Im truly not even sure why I bought this book. I don’t like the Great Gatsby, although I am a sucker for anything Asian.
Still, this wasn’t all that Asian and I just don’t like the great Gatsby.
And I just don’t care what happens in this book.
I liked the spin on it, but not enough to finish.

I am so torn about this book. It’s so different from anything else I’ve read, but I feel like there’s so much I don’t understand. Things just happen out of the blue and I don’t understand how they all relate to each other.
As for the characters? We see so little of thorn. For someone who is an MC, and a large part of the story, we see him for what I would estimate is like, 10% of the book.
There is so much more I want from this book, and I truly don’t know if I want to continue with the series.

Oh! I loved this book!
Nikolai is my bae, so of course he’s awesome!!
But I loved seeing another side of Zoya, and Nina is just heartbreaking!
So much happened in this book, maybe a tad bit too much, but I know there’s a conclusion, so I’m excited to see what happens!

Yeah… I just couldn’t.
I tried. But it’s a no.
I don’t know whether it’s because I raced through the first book, but I just can’t bring myself to read this.
I might come back to it later, but for now, it’s a pass for me.

ETA: so I did finish this book. But I wouldn’t say I enjoyed it. It is better than book 1, so that’s a plus, but I still wouldn’t rave over this series.
There’s definitely more lovable characters in this book, which is welcome, but Auren is still annoying and the spice level is virtually non existent.
Will I continue with this series? Sure, why not, but it’s definitely not a favourite and not worth the hype in my opinion.

This is not a great book. I know it’s apparently setting up for future books, but as a stand-alone, it’s so boring. 
Yes, things happen, but you just don’t care. There’s zero romance, not that much spice, and basically I’m quite disappointed.
I wouldn’t be continuing with this series if I hadn’t been told the rest are better.

Ah!!!!! Ginger, what have you done to me????
The angst, oh, the angst!!!
When I found out this was going to be a continuous series of this couple, I knew it wasn’t going to be all sunshine and roses, but damn!!
I don’t know if this book is short, or I just read it quickly, but it went, really fast!! I love the way Dustin loves.
I love the way he grew, but wasn’t a fan of how he morphed.
And Hannah… oh boy. She’s a handful. 
But their love… it’s epic. It’s destructive, and painful, but it’s also deep, and I can’t wait to see how it all finishes!!
Would also recommend waiting to read this until book 3 is out!!