I would rate this zero if I could. I wanted to love it like first book, but it just kept getting worse. Bad plot development, wild characterization departures, plot holes everywhere. Can I just say again, bad plot, WTF was happening the whole time

I really loved this story but Violet was pissing me off. And Xaden too. It spent like 2/3 the book on them fighting and they're supposed to be the main couple? Also what's the point of the Vi-Cat rivalry if it's just gonna fall on its face at the end. I honestly feel like that was added in just because it's whats "supposed" to happen in this genre and then the author was like "Ok, we did the rivalry with the ex, let's move on". Just cur the entire subplot out. It's time we could have spent exploring Jesenia and Sawyer. Or Brennan. Or Tairn, his previous rider, and the fact he died to save Brennan, who is alive, so did he succeed or did something else happen? Is Vi, who's supposed to be a genius, just not questioning that, because the fact she appeals to Malek so often and now may have proof resurrection is possible seems like it needs to be a big dealer? Also where's Brennan's dragon if riders--unless venin--die when their dragons die and he can still wield? Even Rhi's dragon is mentioned in passing so his should at least appear in the background. Especially if it's been residing in Aretia since he "died" and they just established hatching grounds there. Maybe this all gets answered next book, but, man. I just wish we cut the constant fighting (esp. when they say Xaden and Cat were the toxic ones) and jealousy and focused on these things. The "you don't trust me" line gets tired after the first 20 times. The humor also bordered on a bit cringey at times. That said, it's also badass as hell. And I really love seeing a main character with a chronic pain illness because I can relate. I also love how complex the relationships--when they're not "complex" just because they have the same argument every 5 seconds--are. Violet's relationships with her mom, Dain, Mira, Brennan, Sloane, and even Rhi do a great job of showing her and their flaws and making them all fleshed out characters. And the worldbuilding is really intriguing. I would love to see more of Poromiel befayse the nobility seemed interesting, and I wonder how a kingdom that's already fully known of and been dealing with venin functions and still remains afloat. I'd love to see more of those who stayed at Basgiath and love how they framed it as more of a "stay and defend Navarre because it's all you've ever known, or take a chance and try to defend some far-away place you've never known and until yesterday thought of as the enemy because of a threat you thought was a fable until yesterday" instead of black and white, good and bad. I also feel this 100% should've been two books because after they left Basgiath I was sitting there thinking it felt like the ending and unsure how they'd handle introducing a new setting and characters. It worked, but two books would probably work better.

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The miscommunication in this book drove me absolutely insane, I almost DNFed 200 pages in because I was so annoyed at violet and Xadens constant bickering. The last 50 pages are the only thing that turned it around for me. Compared to fourth wing, this is floors below it. 
3.5/5 (barely) 

Tropes: miscommunication, war college, betrayal, dragons, found family 

Triggers: death of parent, war, gore, fighting, animal death 

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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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️