This book was definitely a good sequel, I often find the second book in series to be quite weak, a means to an end—the last book, the ultimate climax. However I feel like this was a good second book.

 

 
I am still a little thrown off about the way Alina behaved, and how she and Mal grew a part. If she doesn’t get any character development, or something happens to her and Mal in the next book, I might lower my rating. I adore Nikolai, but I still think Alina and Mal should be the endgame. I am personally not a fan of a good build up of relationships, to then just introducing a new character, leaving the old love interest to rut. I also feel very bad for Mal.

I decided (as of this moment) to give this book 4,75 stars, while I can’t really come up with any complaints (as long as Alina’s behavior and her relationship with Mal will become worse), I want to save my 5 stars for other books. This book didn’t leave me satisfied, it left me on edge. Which I suppose might be good thing, because I’ll immediately start reading the sequel after finishing this review. I like Alina a lot, I don’t want to see her fall  apart any further.