I wanted to love this book so badly, but I just slogged through the first 200 pages. If you love the shades of magic series it’s worth it to power through, but this book could have been written in 400 pages instead of 650 and would’ve been so much better. 

This novel spent a lot of time telling back story that isn’t necessary. Or maybe it’s supposed to be setting up the next book, but there’s not enough tension for it here and should have been left to later. Unfortunately it was also confusing to me because the previous books were written several years ago, so I spent a lot of time feeling like I was missing what was being hinted at. 

That said, I love the continuation of kel and Lila’s story. Rhy felt pretty one dimensional but I think we’re getting a little more of alucard. The white London story was a distraction and made the rest of the story confusing. I kept waiting for something to come together, and I’m sure it’s in the next book, but I wish less time was spent there instead of unnecessary set up for later.