Would’ve appreciated if the entire book was like the last 200ish pages but alas. A solid second installation to The Empyrean series, although there were too many characters to keep track of and somehow not much happening despite everything happening. I do love Rebecca Yarros’ characterization, even with the minor characters, I just think there doesn’t need to be so many with actual names, you know? Makes it hard to keep track of the ones that are more necessary. If that makes sense? Idk this took me awhile to finish because some of the plot devices were a little too convoluted and didn’t seem to serve the plot in general. Inevitably, yes, more will be revealed in the third book. Also—if all of the steamy scenes are going to basically be the same, can we maybe chill on that aspect of the books because unfortunately I was growing bored with them, as much as I love Xaden. 

Like I said with the first one, the world building in this series could be better. But I did like the introduction of more of life outside of Basgiath and Navarre. In any case, I enjoyed it and was very invested in the final quarter of the book. Quite the interesting cliffhanger!!

The world building is quite good, but the characters are annoying and the plot is predictable. Self-insert characters are irritating nearly without exception, and the fact that Yarros has made the FMC her personal fantasy of herself and the MMC an idealised version of her husband (and does not hide this) is uncomfortable. I genuinely did enjoy the construction of the world itself, and the overall narrative, but the characters were nearly all either deeply unlikable or underdeveloped — the FMC's best friends are cardboard cut outs and

you hardly care at all when one of them dies

. The sex scenes were alright, but there aren't enough for this to really be considered smut; which is fine because the narrative is intriguing on its own, I just wish the characters were better written!

It's good for a fun summer read, kind of like the Kardashians or Love Island of the book world — switch your brain off and have some fun!

Rebecca Yarros… we need words Madame! How can you end a book like that?! Absolute cliffhanger!!
Another 5 star read for me, absolutely loved reading more about Violet and Xaden’s journey and seeing their relationship blossom more. 
I don’t remember a great deal of the book since it has taken me a while to get through but I do know that I loved it from start to finish, despite being a little slow in the middle but it soon picked by up and I just couldn’t put it down. 
What a whirlwind of a book this one was, it really had me in all my feels. It was also nice seeing Andarna as a bigger dragon and seeing her more involved. 
Definitely recommend⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️