Enemies to lovers? Check. A magical apocalypse? Double check. Alaric and Talasyn are stuck in a marriage that’s more “war tactics and betrayal” than “happily ever after,” but sparks are flying anyway, literally, because she’s all light and he’s all shadow. Between plotting to overthrow each other and trying to save the world, they’re walking a fine line between passion and treachery. Add in secret schemes, daddy issues, and a looming magical world ending event, and you’ve got a recipe for drama with a side of chaos.

This one didn’t sweep me off my feet like the first book, and jumping straight back into the action without a “previously on” was a bit rough. The pacing leaned towards slow burn, but the big action moment didn’t quite pack the punch it was aiming for. On the plus side, the romance turned up the heat, and the spice was a nice addition, just enough to keep things steamy without overpowering the plot. It definitely felt more like a “bridge book” than a star of its own, but the drama was there to keep me hooked.

The audiobook narration was solid, though the male voices from the female narrator missed the mark a bit. That said, the story itself held together well enough to keep me intrigued. It might not have blown me away, but it’s definitely keeping me curious about what’s next.