Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me an eARC in exchange for an honest review! Seriously. THANK YOU. I've been literally stalking the NetGalley site for this ARC. <3

I love Emily Skrutskie's brand of sci-fi. Lots of flashy action scenes, friendships and couples that are easy to root for, and just so much damn heart poured into every single moment. But mostly I love how messy and tangled everything gets from page one. Every time. <3

I loved the first book in this trilogy and was so hyped for what was built up for the sequel, and book two does not disappoint. Gal's perspective is fresh and feels very different from our boy Ettian in book one (I'm an absolute sucker for a snarky prince with a tortured soul give 'em here). Relationships that were established in the first iteration are shown in different lights, changed, mangled, and just absolutely turned on their heads. We have plot twists, we have scheming, we have new friendships, we have betrayals, we have makeout scenesssssss. Ugh. Loved it.

And just like before, the ending has me salivating for the next book.

My only complaints are that it felt too short - like stuff went DOWN, but scenes moved really fast. And my dreaded fantasy curse word was back. Just let them say 'fuck', please, Emily. I cringe every time they utter the word 'rut'. Like a piece of my soul shrivels and dies a little.