I’m giving this a technical rating of 4.5 stars, but it was good enough that I don’t want to negatively affect its rating with a 4 star read here.

This was a great sequel - plot was diverse enough from the first one, we get introduced to more harpies, and see a little more of the Astra men (go Roux and Ian!!). I also got some feels for Erebus, and I’m not sure if that’s okay yet. Yes, villains are my thing.

The only reason that I’m not 100% on this one is just because of the ending. Don’t worry! No spoilers, but there is a HEA (if you’re familiar with Showalter, you’d know that all of her books have HEAs). It’s just that her endings always have unimaginable twists to save the day - this one…kinda did, but was really just kinda anticlimactic-y and rushed. It doesn’t take away from the story, but since it was kinda of the last thing the readers are left with, it’s definitely noticeable.

That being said….ROUX! I can’t wait for his book. So glad I only have two days. The sad thing - if she’s giving Astra warriors their books in the order of their rank, it’s going to be FOREVER until we get Ian’s, especially since she’s giving side (but main) characters their story also. God, if she writes one Warlord book a year, like she’s been doing, we’re looking at 10 years until his book