*3.5 stars*

I didn't enjoy this quite as much as the first one, but it was still entertaining. Plot-wise, the stakes felt lower because the big problem of how to leave the psynet was resolved in book 1. Additionally, I felt the pacing was a bit uneven at times. That said, the world-building, the political maneuvering, and the dynamics between the three races are so intriguing that they kept me engaged throughout. Vaughn and Faith were interesting protagonists and I appreciated their dynamic -despite Vaughn's possessiveness, Faith held her ground and didn't let herself be pushed around. Plus, the sexual tension between them was spot on.