This book wasn’t what I expected after attempting to read other stories by Howard. While it had the darkness that the others possessed in the Splintered series, it wasn’t so gruesome or fantastically dark that it could bother my conscience. I didn’t feel triggered in any way. Instead, I was fascinated by Lyra’s progression to Stain, her knowledge of sign language and how that played such a huge part, and the split character of Scorch. I fell in love with Crony and Luce - despite their harsh past. I finished the book wanting more, which is always a good sign. It makes me want to read Splintered again and see if maybe a few years later it would possibly bother me less.