As I've said before, I can only read one Irons and Works book (or other E.M. Lindsey work) in a row. If I try to read two back to back, my interest dwindles and I usually skim or drop the second book. There's something about them that doesn't lend itself to longevity or sustained interest. As I read Stick and Poke, I realized that part of that is because of the way Lindsey give us the cliff's notes version of each characters' lives in the beginning of the book up until current day. If I'm recalling correctly, all the books have that same format, and that's unfortunate. It leaves no mysteries and definitely undercuts the emotional impact of these characters struggles and backstories.