Wow! The 2nd installment in the Torch trilogy was fast paced, engaging, and heart wrenching. The story picks up immediately following book 1: Lark is on the run with he mom, Heron Mikane, and Kingfisher. Rye has escaped the chrysalid house and is hoping to escape to freedom in Ayland. Piper is still fighting his feelings of betrayal towards his family as well as trying to understand how to accept himself as gay. Nightingale is stuck with Swan playing her "dolly" while she tries to navigate the death of Peregrine and the new dictator Kite. We also get a new perspective from a 3rd party that is neight Brightland or Ayland, "Petra", who is on a scouting voyage from over the seas. This 3rd party brings a LOT more into the picture.

I really am enjoying this series and feel it is great for older YA readers. I would definitely check triggers warnings before you read this, as it deals with some pretty heavy topics. Most of the women in this society are abused in some way and have absolutely no power, which makes it really difficult to read some parts. There are also a lot of LGBTQ characters as well who are suppressed in this society, and they are also fighting for freedom and for the right to be their true selves. I think the author did a great job navigating such heavy topics in a way that could be understood by a younger audience.

I really enjoyed the fast pacing and the multiple point of views constantly switching back and forth made it so I never felt the book was getting stale. As soon as something exciting happens with one character, it's on to the next one, and you're eager to know what's happening with all the perspectives. The one thing I didn't really jive with were the love interests. I'm not a big fan of kingfisher. Without spoilers, I like Rye's love interest, but I felt like there was no chemistry, it happened too sudden and there wasn't a second for any feelings to grow between them. I'm not really sure if Nightingale is supposed to have a love interest - it keeps being hinted at but I really don't think she has feelings for anyone yet. And Piper and his love interest seem too volatile together- I think they're just too different. The one couple I ship is Heron and Curl!!! Other than that, I really enjoyed the 2nd installment in this series and CANNOT WAIT for the final book!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and HarperCollins Children's Books for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

4.5/5 stars