Overall Rating: 4 stars
Date Finished: September 22,
2016
Very few sequels live up to the
first book in a series. For that same reason, I am always reluctant to start a
second book in a series because there’s just no way it can live up to the first
one and so many fail horribly. Now, I still found the first book more exciting
but this book definitely lived up to what I was expecting of the series.
This book picks up where the
other one left off. Elias and Laia are running for this lives and Helene must
reluctantly hunt them down.
One of things that I really
enjoyed about this book is that it was so dark and real. Too often in books
like these miraculous things happen and all the main characters comes out on
top and they somehow manage to save everyone they love against all days. And
yet, reality is so much darker. Especially in an Empire like the one they are
running from, with a cruel Empire leading them.
Helene struggles to come to
terms with her love for Elias and her loyalty to the Empire. She plots and
plans and yet every time she tries to come out on top she fails and in the end,
she pays for it in unimaginable ways.
Elias is trying to come to
terms with his imminent death. He was poisoned by his mother and knows that no
matter what he does his end is drawing near. And while there were some
frustrating decisions, for the most is was all consistent with his character.
Despite it all, throughout it all he never gives up and never stops fighting.
Laia is the one that really
frustrated me in the book. She is falling in love with Elias. And then her
friend from the rebellion shows up and she starts to change. She was such a
strong, fierce character and she burns so brightly, and yet she lets undermine
her. After Elias leaves she allows him to cause her to be weak, to doubt
herself and her gifts and her power to change the world. And the whole while
that he is treating her so cruelly, she allows herself to live him. Now, in
hindsight, I can see how this needed to happen plot wise but it was so
frustrating to see Laia waste away into someone who was barely recognizable
from the first book. Despite that she fights back and in the end they are able
to accomplish the impossible. I just hope that this whole process brings us a stronger,
fiercer Laia for the next book.
There is lots of ups and downs
in this book. Some joy and lots of heartache. There is intrigue and plotting
and fighting and action. The characters were inspiring and overall the book was
just outright enjoyable. For the first time in a long time I actually find
myself looking forward to the third book!
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