It was lovely to go back into the Darrowlands and to see more of Aislinn who we met in the first book. I really liked Aislinn, she felt a strong sense of duty and was so determined to do her all to earn the role that had been thrust upon her. Her neurodivergence was clear in different moments but it wasn't used as a way to make her look weak, instead she was strong and forward thinking and hopeful, it was just a part of her character. The way moments developed between Aislinn and Hakon were lovely, they weren't rushed although they easily could have been and I liked how what they wanted developed as they grew to understand each other and their obligations better. 

There was an actual plotline surrounding the potential siege of the Darrowlands by Jerrod which increased the tension and the risk surrounding everything and allowed the characters to show themselves as the leaders they could be. It showed loyalties and questions of loyalty and how people will manipulate themselves times to suit themselves. 

Honestly a really good book where it felt like the characters grew into the roles they were supposed to hold and ultimately found their way together after some ups and downs.