A shockingly thorough redemption of the first book, I was very pleasantly surprised by the enthralling world-building, lore, and supporting characters handed to us in the 2nd installment of a series I am now seriously contemplating finishing. The romance is what it is, the plot twists are what they are, but we've got adventure, fantastical cities, heists, betrayal, shadowy lovers, and a woman who is finally stepping into her own. I get it now.