The second installment in the Legends of Thezmarr series did not disappoint in the slightest. Much like the first book, it left me reeling in shock, awe, and disbelief—yet eager to dive straight into the next one as soon as I possibly could. This series has me hooked in a way few others have, and I found myself tearing through hundreds of pages at a time, completely immersed—time flew by unnoticed. It's an incredibly easy read that pulls you in and keeps you turning pages without a second thought.

As with most series, I struggle to write a spoiler-free review, so consider this your warning—there may be some spoilers ahead!

This book, and its characters, have truly captured my heart. And it's not just Thea and Wilder that I adore; I would happily throw myself on a sword for Cal and Kipp. Their humor adds so much to the story and has quickly become one of my favorite aspects of the series. Seeing how they grow alongside Thea, each bringing their own unique strengths and quirks, is just wonderful. The Found Family trope really hits home in this book, especially toward the end, when their bond deepens during their travels. I also loved the additional time we spent with Torj and Wren, and I can't help but gush over the hint at a potential romance between them. I’m so excited to see where that goes!

I’m also deeply curious about Hawthorne’s mentor—there’s an air of mystery surrounding that character that I can’t wait to explore more.

As for world-building, I don’t feel like we got an overwhelming amount in this book, but that didn't detract from the story at all. The ending left me on edge, and I have a strong sense that a massive conspiracy is about to tear Thea's world apart. I suspect the secrets behind the Kingdom and the Shadow Wraiths are slowly starting to unravel. Thea might think she knows what’s going on, but I have a feeling that, as readers, we don’t know much more than she does. What lies beyond the Veil? Are the Shadow Wraiths working with the other monsters? I don’t think anything is what it seems, and I’m especially intrigued by what really happened to Thea and Wren’s families—it feels like there’s so much more to that story than we’ve been told.

Now, onto what has quickly become one of my favorite romances of all time—Thea and Wilder. Let me just say:

Wilder, jealous and possessive? YES, PLEASE. Wilder blushing constantly? SO CUTE. That armour... need I say more? Wilder taking care of Thea like a mother hen? I can’t get enough of it. And that ending?! I did not see that coming. My heart is absolutely breaking for both of them.

There’s also some heavy foreshadowing around Seb's mysterious uncle and that terrifying prison where everyone would rather face death than be locked away. Plus, I have a sinking feeling about the Empath King and his daughter, but maybe that’s just me.

This series is quickly climbing the ranks to become one of my all-time favourites. I haven’t been this invested in a new series since I first picked up War of Lost Hearts. If you’re not reading Legends of Thezmarr yet, do yourself a favour and jump in!