Sometimes, when I continue with a series where the first book did not wow me, a sequel will disappoint me even further. While I never feel regret for finishing a book, I rue the time spent finishing said sequel when I could have read something else. Yet, most of the time, I find myself enjoying it immensely and continue to finish the series. Such is the case with Katharine J. Adams' TONIGHT, I BLEED, the second book in The Witches of Halstett series.

What bothered me the most about the first book was largely absent in TONIGHT, I BLEED, which may be why I liked it more than the series opener. I took issue with the polyamory angle, not because I have problems with polyamory, but because it felt like an unnecessary plot point. It felt like something added at the last minute to make the story more diverse and therefore more buzz-worthy. Ms. Adams never properly explains the relationship dynamic, so it was easy to explain it away as something nice to have for diversity, but completely unnecessary to the plot.

To some extent, I still feel that way, but in TONIGHT, I BLEED, Ms. Adams does provide us a modicum of explanation regarding two of the characters' pasts to help explain them now. Her explanation did ease my concerns a little, but only a little. Since this aspect of the story is mostly moot given that one of the characters is missing for most of the story, I'm not certain it was enough for me to overcome my feelings about this potential throuple. The explanation makes sense, but I need these characters to have a direct conversation without having to rush somewhere else for once.

Direct conversations are a rare thing in TONIGHT, I BLEED. So many people are keeping secrets that it feels as if everyone is speaking in code the entire time. As we see the story unfold through Penny's eyes, this makes her one of the most clueless heroines you will find. No matter how hard she tries, almost everyone avoids giving her answers to a multitude of questions. We do get some, thankfully. Those few answers are enough to stave off what is, to me, the worst trope, the dreaded "lack of communication" trope. Each time I started to get impatient that the story was veering into that area, Penny pins down someone else and gets a few answers out of them. Never enough to satisfy her lack of understanding or our curiosity, but it was enough. (I seriously hate that trope. It is so stupid and contrived.)

It may seem like I didn't like TONIGHT, I BLEED at all based on these comments, but I really did enjoy it. Penny starts to grow a spine and become less passive. Even without knowing all of the secret plans and suspicions bouncing around the palace, she holds her own when tested. She takes action instead of sitting around waiting for the action to come to her. Plus, we get out of the palace and visit the town of Halstett. We learn more about magic in this world and its origins. As a bonus, we learn more about Warden's origins, which makes you question everything you thought you knew about him.

The events that unfold and the answers we do receive, plus the absence of the polyamory angle, are enough to push TONIGHT, I BLEED into the "like a lot" category. I'm invested in Penny's fate now and curious to see how all the threads weaving around Penny come together. There are certain trust issues I'm anxious to see resolved, and I want to see if anyone can overcome the Big Bad they face. I need to know how it ends, which, to me, is always a sign of a good series.

Tonight, I Bleed is a stunning continuation of The Witches of Halstett series, and I was hooked the minute I started reading. I loved seeing Penny's development continue, and it made me connect to her even more. While there is a love triangle between Penny, Alice, and Malin, it doesn't overshadow the plot of the story. Watching the story unfold and the witches trying to get their freedom back is fascinating and filled with politics, violence, and betrayals (everything that I love).

Overall, I enjoyed this book tremendously and can not wait to continue the journey and see where it ends in the next installment, Tonight, I Blaze!

Let me start this by saying now that I’ve finished the book, I ADORE THE TITLE. Tonight, I Bleed by Katharine J. Adams pulls readers back into the realm of Hallstatt with Malin, Alice, and Penny facing down the task of bringing down the Warden. Malin basically must relearn how to interact with real life, as he’s been trapped in Death for so many years. Alice, no longer the Warden’s “Spinner,” must figure out how to be her own person. And Penny must balance the responsibilities of her family, her relationships with Malin and Alice, and her role in what fate is dealing out. Each time adulting forced me to put down Tonight, I Bleed, I screamed inside. It couldn’t be outside, otherwise I might’ve woken up my neighbors. I thoroughly enjoyed Adams’s newest novel and all its complexities, twists, and turns.

It's hard for me to review this book without spoilers, as Adams packs so much into it. One thing leads to another and another and another, and readers are left fighting for breath. Let’s just say that bringing down the Warden is not the only drama our band of heroes must face. On top of those high stakes, we experience Penny’s struggles with her as she learns to accept herself and the mask that is gilded onto her face. She also must confront the very close relationship between Alice and Malin and evaluate what effect it should—and does—have on her. Though it has been a year since I read Tonight, I Burn, I feel like I understand Penny far better from book two than I ever did in book one. Adams does a wonderful job of adding further details into her overarching plotline, leaving me desperate for the third book.

A big reason for that desperation? Tonight, I Bleed by Katharine J. Adams ends on a cliffhanger. A very, very, very perilous one. I didn’t shriek like I did when I finished Onyx Storm, but a whimper leaked out. Tonight, I Bleed is reads like the middle book in a series. A lot happens, yes, but it cannot stand alone. I wish I had reread Tonight, I Bleed beforehand because I was lost at so many points. Additionally, Tonight, I Bleed sets everything up for the third novel. If the series were a “paint-by-numbers” canvas, Adams filled in more of the spaces but not enough for someone to see the image in its colorful glory. We get the outline, not the full story. Sign me up for book three, though, regardless, as I want to see how Katharine J. Adams wraps it all up! I want to see the painting!

I feel that this author often introduces random plot points into her stories. While incorporating surprises or unique plotlines can be effective, they need to make sense and be properly developed. I shouldn’t be left questioning the relationships between characters or wondering about the sudden appearance of a character who has not been previously introduced. Additionally, I dislike feeling confused about the story's direction and what the main characters are facing. I believe this author needed to develop and plan out the story more thoroughly.

The story was absolutely engaging and the work that went into the settings was noticeable and superb.
The attention to details in Adam’s writing really set the scene and tone.

First and foremost as always thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book. This was an incredibly good read! The story was beautifully written and the characters were flushed out really well! Definitely worth the read!

This is the second book in The Witches of Halstett Series by Katherine J. Adams. I do not recommend skipping the first book because the intriguing magic system and lore are explained well there, and a lot of the events in the second book require you to know what is going on already and who was involved. That said, I flew through this book! I think the dialogue sets this up for a television adaptation, as I can clearly picture scenes like episodes.

We again follow Penny, a witch trying to preserve and defend witchcraft and witches from those who threaten to eliminate both. She's grown since the events of the last book, but still has a lot to learn. I enjoy the major story arcs in this book as there are a lot of fascinating fantasy ideas, the creatures of the world are interesting, and I personally enjoyed the twists. I wanted to spend even more time with all of the characters, and I hope some get additional spotlight. The ending will have you begging for book three.

Thank you to Orbit Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.

Thank you to Katherine J. Adams, Orbit, and NetGalley for giving me an eARC of Tonight, I Bleed in exchange for my honest review.

Tonight, I Bleed is the second book, The Witches of Halstett. Tonight, I Bleed takes place a little after the conclusion to Tonight, I Burn. I enjoyed this book. One thing that I noted is that the character development felt much more flushed out in this book. I understood why each character was doing what I was doing. I did struggle a bit with the plot this time; it felt like this book was trying to get us from the introduction to the plot in book one to how the story is going to wrap up in the next book. Specifically, the overarching problems in the first book seem to wrap up fairly early in this book, but then there's a new problem that's adjacent but different. This book felt like the bridge, and I struggled with that because not much happened to move the plot along until the last 150 pages when things dramatically picked up. I did enjoy this book, and I do enjoy this series, but I just wanted a little more excitement. I can tell that Adams is going to be an outstanding author and a force in the fantasy world. The issues I had with the first book are better, and honestly, the issues that I had with this book were common ones for a fantasy trilogy, which speaks volumes about how far Adams has come. I am excited to see where the story goes from here because I do think the next book is going to be epic, and I will pick it up without a doubt. Even the tidbit we get at the end of book 3 has me SO EXCITED I can tell it is going to be outstanding; we just had to get to that point first.

3.5 Stars

Oh wow this book is just wow. Usually 2nd books lose thier steam a little and sometimes feel like fillers but this book was anything but a typical sequel! This book feels dark and fantastical with more than a touch of rebellion. I really enjoyed this series so far!

Tonight, I Bleed is the follow up to the book Tonight, I Burn by Katharine J. Adams. It is not a standalone, and I do not recommend reading if you haven’t read the first book, as there is a lot of lore and world building that is necessary in order to understand the dynamics between characters.

In this entry we continue to follow Penny, Alice and Malin as they attempt to bring down the Warden and survive while in his orbit. There is a lot more action in this book, with the pacing being the same as the first - medium. I loved being able to spend more time with this trio. Exploring their motivations and unique personalities (and how they compliment each other) was one of the best parts of this book. The exploration into the concept of polyamory within a YA fantasy book is done with grace and care. We also see a lot of growth on Penny’s part, which I appreciated.

Overall, I was happy with this book and if you enjoyed the first, I see you loving this continuation of the story.

Tonight, I Bleed, book #2 in the Witches of Halstett Trilogy—publishing April 8th! (Plenty of time to start on book #1 😉)

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This series might be one of my new favorites. I screamed, I cried, I felt all the feels. A lot of times, when books are promoted with “for fans of From Blood and Ash” I don’t always agree with the comparison (it’s also one of my favorites), but this book definitely scratches the FBAA itch!

The plot for this series is very well-developed! There wasn’t a single dull moment in this book—major action started almost immediately! This book is perfect for romantasy readers that also love a psychological thriller, because I spent almost the entire book questioning who to trust, and my opinions on each character’s trustworthiness shifted multiple times—I was constantly on the edge of my seat (and also screaming at my kindle).

This series follows a polyamorous trio, which is a relationship type I haven’t read before, and I found it interesting how the dynamics were constantly shifting within the group. One thing that became clear in this book is that there is no true balance in the relationship when the three aren’t united. With Penny’s inquisitive nature and determination, Alice’s optimism, and Malin’s strategic mind, together, they make a great team.

I also really like that this love story is being told in a YA context and that each relationship is built upon deep trust and companionship with less emphasis on the physical. While I love a good spicy romance, for this story, I really loved watching each person connect with the others as friends as a foundation.

If you haven’t read book #1, Tonight, I Burn, yet, add it to your TBR immediately & save the date for book #2’s release!

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

Such a great series and now waiting for more. I loved seeing the mfc and her personal growth as she learns to fight for herself even when it’s hard to do. She has this unshakable path to save those she loves and her character grows to support her.

This one took me some time to get to because I needed to read the first one. I really enjoyed it! I had never heard of this series until I requested this ARC and I am so glad I did!

I love the storyline and how it developed throughout the book. The political engagement is very intriguing and gives you that emotional “oomph” you look for in series like this!

Definitely coming back for book 3!

What a great sequel! So good to catch back up with the characters and seeing how they grow into themselves. Prepare yourself for another cliff hanger! Can’t wait for book 3!!!!

I was so excited to receive this arc, as I was one of the lucky ones to read Tonight, I Burn as an arc too. I love this story line. It’s unique and completely engaging. I do feel, however, that this one felt a little lacking but I still did enjoy it. Katharine J Adams is really good at sucking you in and i hope those who read this feel the same way I did. It was quite an adventure!

Written well, just don't like the MC and I can't even articulate why. I just really don't like her. Still enjoying the premise of the series and will definitely read the next book!

I was hooked from the first book and not having to wait to see where this story went, was a fantastic perk of being able to read this ARC.

The second book continues to follow Penny, our Thorn Witch, Princess to the Thorn Queen, the Warden’s Death Weaver…I absolutely adore Penny’s strength, her loyalty, and her inability to watch others hurt. She is still young, sheltered from the world, due to that, I feel like she second guesses herself a lot as well as her ability to ask trust, she either does it too willingly or not at all. Overall, it makes her more vulnerable and easier for the audience to connect with.

There is a love triangle of sorts between Penny, Alice, and Malin. So that is still progressing slowly, these relationships drive Penny but it’s not solely the focus on the plot,

Malin, is juggling a lot of after this “return” and his intentions are sometimes confusing but his loyalty seems to be linked to Alice ( Warden’s Spinner) and Penny. They have a very interesting dynamic and a lot of unanswered questions surrounding them.

Alice, she is a mystery all by herself, there is a lot more to her than people realize. She has been forced to be the “Warden’s Pet” for so many years, that’s all people see. There is a history between her and Malin, it’s complicated and the foundation is love, but still unsure what type of love regardless of what either of them say. Regardless, Alice is loyal to Penny and Malin.

The storyline is interesting and well developed, I am enjoying watching the story unfold. The witches are trying to get their freedom back, our at least a small band of people who are tried of living under the evilness of the Warden. He has stolen everything from them and now they want it back. This story has political engagement, betrayal, violence, and painful moments for the characters. The flow of the story was nicely paced.

The character interactions felt real and organic, they flowed with each other, even the hatred you could truly feel it. There has been some minor growth with the characters, I feel like not enough time has passed within the book to see too much development but they stay true to who they are.

I absolutely loved the first book in this series, Tonight I Burn, and I was so excited to get to review book two! I'm so happy to be able to report that I found it just as wonderful as the first! It's action-packed and full of girl-power energy. LOVED IT!

Eeeek! I was SO thrilled when I got to read this book I was nearly vibrating. I loved the first one and the ending of the first left me desperate for more. I've been following Katharine J. Adams progress on Instagram and was floating when I was approved for the e-ARC.

This book picks up where the first left off and pretty soon afterwards goes into the nitty gritty details of what happens in the aftermath of a huge revolutionary act. I thought this was a very interesting perspective to take since not many stories follow this plot line.

There was more Mila, more Ella, more Tobias, and Alice and Malin and best of all more BOOK SPRITES! Bloodthirsty babies I imagine as the soot sprites from Spirited Away lol. Penny's journey throughout this book and the first and experience with Death is so unusual. The inclusion of mythology and fairytales from within the Halstett Universe was also a great plot device.

I found the story intriguing and surprising with twists and turns I DID NOT see coming. Unfortunately I'm now in another desperate situation where I've finished and am dying for more!

I would absolutely recommend this book and have had it pre-ordered since the moment a release date was announced.

Thank you to Netgalley for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.