It was nice being in this world again.

I loved this book. Lucia is such a badass, I love everything about her. Enzo is great although he did piss me off at one point which is the only reason that this wasn't a full 5 star but I cannot wait to read the rest of this series. I don't know if I'm a mafia romance girlie but I at least like this one.
A series of Black mafia bosses is exactly what I needed in my life

Sooooo glad I was able to get an arc from NetGalley

I did feel like the beginning was a little slow but not in a bad way. We just had to get to know our characters and get the band back together. I've never been big on pirate stories or ones that take place on ships but if someone could convince me, it's S.A. Chakraborty.
There's very little magic in about the first half of the book and then when the magical elements are introduced, they come at you hard and fast and you're transported to a whole new world - literally! I really enjoyed the ending and I am excited to see where Chakraborty takes our characters next!

This is a sapphic Black love story so if that's your vibe I do recommend!

I however, really disliked Irene. I'm not a fan of the 

  "I'm mean to you because I like you" trope because it's bullshit. I also didn't like that it was ultimately Remi who made the first move because Irene didn't deserve it at the time. Frankly Irene needed to grovel more. She did do things to help Remi without her knowledge but it wasn't enough.......Or maybe I'm just not very forgiving lol 

 

I am really enjoying this series. I was able to kind of guess who was responsible but there was another twist that I didn't expect and I appreciate that. Can't wait for book 4!

I received an arc from Netgalley

This was fun and kept me guessing however I didn't like some of the main characters decisions and I didn't feel that the reveal made a ton of sense once we found out 

that the autopsy of Lydia revealed that she had a heart condition and nothing could have been done. I do think that she had been left alone too long but even if she hadn't been, what was 16 year old Harriet going to do

 

I cannot wait for book 3!!!

I enjoyed this one even more than The Jasmine Throne. I loved how our two main characters came into their own but also 

the betrayal at the end!!! I lowkey want to see them go head to head in the next one. I don't think that Malani will forgive Priya and I don't blame her.

I could have done without the fake resurrection of Ashok. I hate him.

I wish Aditya didn't have to die but I am so glad that Chandra did.

 

My expectations were so high after loving Kingdom of Souls, but this fell so flat for me. What I loved about book 1 was the fast paced, always something happening, chaotic-ness of every page. While I understand that this book was about rebuilding from the aftermath I was still expecting to enjoy the second half.

 

The first half of this was so slow and boring and then even when things did start to pick up I felt like we were just playing the same game over and over again - this person is dead. Just kidding! They're fine. This person is resurrected. Just kidding! it wasn't even them. But this person....they're dead for real. Oh and everybody is possessed. 

 

I'm still holding out hope that the third book is great though.

I was disappointed in this one.

First - this could have been 100 pages shorter, I don't think it needed to be anywhere near 400+ We spend so much time either 

walking through the Tangle or sitting and waiting. 

 

Second - I don't really care for the redemption arc 

of Cole. Sure it's great that he's no longer a piece of shit by I still would have preferred if he had died instead of Ella

 

Lastly - I have been waiting for 

the death of Zurvashi since book one. I said even then that I wanted Ahnset to do it because she's fierce and actually cares about her people - or vrix. After book 2 I doubled down that I wanted it to be Ahnset because she could have gotten vengeance for Ella. Ivy challenging Zurvashi felt wildly unrealistic - obviously all of it is but given the context of where we are - Zurvashi could have easily stomped on her and ended it all, plus Ivy is pregnant and her actions were reckless.

 

I will still read The Weaver when it comes out

Another cozy mystery success! Loving this series and seeing the progression of these characters. Lila needs to take her ass to therapy asap