As I mentioned in my review of book 1 ... I enjoyed this story so much I BOUGHT this book. I don't buy books anymore. I have so many waiting in my Kindle cloud and library list, I just can't justify spending money on more. This was even available on Kindle Unlimited (which I don't have, but I have Prime and get to borrow one book each month). It was only $1.99, and I wanted to continue on enough that I paid it and continued on immediately.

I felt just the smallest comparison to the Hunger games books 1 and 2. There was the whole tournament in book one, which our protagonist conquered to survive and we thought the fighting displays were done ... but no, there is another tournament.

This was different from book one ... here we know Kalinda is a burner. She and the others are dealing with different trials. Kalinda and Deven are separated for much of the story, so unlike book one, we have shifting POVs, hearing Deven tell his parts of the story. I didn't love that, but I guess it was required under the circumstances.

I am anxious to read the next/final book. It's $4.99 ... also on Kindle Unlimited. I think I might be able to hold off (finish my current borrowed book) until I can read it for free.

SECOND READING - the audio is included as part of KU, so I experienced the book a second time, with audio (wanting to have something on hand I'd already read, one okay to listen to stop/starting between other books, or even before bed when drifting off). Enjoyed it just as much the second time.