it is so rare that i find a series that has inclusion, racism, and oppresion so central to its plot while presenting it so well ?!??!! LIKE HELLO?? why did i not read this series earlier

“I hope our research into the great unknown of diviners and the supernatural world proves that we are all one, joined by the same spark of energy that owes nothing to countries or religion,”

— overall thoughts: 4.5 —

i forgot to mention in my initial review that ling is also disabled throughout this book (infantile paralysis)... so there's your disability rep in a book that isn’t just about being disabled (which i think we need more of). and once again shown in a way that makes sense and doesn't feel forced. i'm being redundant but it's the truth. this series honestly checks most of the diversity boxes and i appreciate that so much.

aside from the underlying commentary, the plot is seriously a huge improvement from the first book because that was what i was personally iffy about but i am just a sucker for a whimsical + dark theme. in this case: dreams + ghosts

literally one of the best combinations and worked perfectly for an urban fantasy setting. if you are looking for a ~not exactly light~ fantasy but won't feel too heavy on the heart, while still dealing with serious issues... i have good news: this is the next series for you :>

it’s still slow paced people, don't expect too many intense actions scenes, but I have since come to terms with that fact since i think it goes perfectly well with the build up of the story and the plot. if you have a problem with slow paced stories you might need to pull yourself through but this sequel was far more engaging, in my opinion, compared to the first book. It might also be because I was more attached to Henry and Ling but i was living for the Evie and Sam thing.

the plot feels more complex and layered, way less the stereotypical mystery that i did not care for in the first book. there were little tidbits that i expected but it was just so well executed that it didn’t matter to me because all the reactions were still coming out of me whether it was tears or screams. i might be overdramatic but i’m just happy i finally found a new book that makes me giddy again after a lot of disappointments.

while i did say to not expect intense action sequences, there are so many other aspects that were so intense to read about but at the same time, were fun and exciting... every chapter i was left wanting more.

THE ATMOSPHERE. just sucked me in and made me feel like I was in the 1920s *cough*racism*cough* but it was still easy to read/listen to. For most of the part it’s actually chill and like any other story except for the fact that you know a subplot is just lurking somewhere at first. Then you do get to the subplot and you’re like “oh, this is fine.” but by the end you’re gonna say “i expected this… but why am i still getting goosebumps”.

The way that libba bray made the DREAMS theme both whimsical and creepy is beyond me but I am living for it. The way she tied up the presence of ghosts with that ending…. *chef’s kiss*. If you’ve read it you know what I’m talking about. It’s obvious, but I was still creeped out.

“For dreams, too, are ghosts, desires chased in sleep, gone by morning.”

— characters —
this is a public service announcement to those who did not like evie: she’s a little bit more bearable now… well, when she isn’t gushing about jericho when they have absolutely no chemistry at all and that built up was done poorly. BUT i am ON the sam x evie ship and sailing at full speeds ahead.

“In a city of 6 million dreams, Evie and Sam were the dreamiest,” This is a cheesy quote but you still bet it made me fangirl or in more accurate filipino term, “kilig”, over evie and sam. If you don’t know what that word means go search it up because there is no word for me to describe it in english.

(enemies -> friends -> lovers ... give it to me!) and enter my favourite romance trope: the fake relationship <3 you bet i was cheering them on.

there might be characters that i am biased of (henry, ling, theta) but all of them are written very distinctly and their own voices are so unique that i am dyinggg to know how they are going to manage working together in the future. i should also note that i’m pretty sure they are finally going to be a full team in the next few books and you have no idea how excited i am. it’s 40 hours worth of audiobooks before we got here but i am going to enjoy it.

Henry and Ling yessss!! the contrast between their characterizations was something i personally enjoyed and kept me going all throughout the book. their interactions are so pure and wholesome... to be honest he's is just that character you pair (platonically) with anyone and they will be my favourite duo of the book. in the first book, it him and theta so this theory is to be further tested in books 3 and 4.

it's not just henry and ling that were obvious contrasts, a lot of the other "pairs" were. it was so nice to read about them separately and helped create that layered plot i was talking about. there were so many things going on at one time but it never felt chunky. again: a very easy to follow multi-pov

i was.. surprised (in the good way)… at how mister bill johnson suddenly became this complex character whose motivation i completely understand but i just have no idea how far he is willing to go with… that.

there are a lot of tropes but they were written so well, with great built up and in a very atmospheric environment that i didn’t care if (some of) the characters themselves were a little cliche

“The dead don’t scare me, it takes the living to do that,”

plus… january lavoy’s narration is to die for. one reason that I find the audiobooks for this series so appealing is that there seems to be this theme of a featured song(s) every book and january lavoy actually sings it like how it should feel. If it’s creepy, romantic, nostalgic, you’ll feel it.

Speaking of music, we need a dedicate second to just appreciate Henry. He got the spotlight that he deserves in this sequel and learning more about him, following his story, just made me want to send him to an island where he can live with Theta and [insert name of boy, i'm sorry i keep forgetting his name] forever away from all these ghosts.

“There’s plenty of evil to fight in life without having to make up demons, devils, and ghosts.”

— diversity and depth —
the research and the obvious time that libba bray has poured over this series shows. even though i don’t have a degree in english lit or history, it’s obvious just based on the details and the world-building.

for an overview as far i understand: memphis and isaiah are black (+their family and more people mentioned in their neighborhood), ling is chinese (+again her family and her neighborhood). both neighborhoods were featured a lot especially ling’s family since this book does focus on ling

the sort of subtle but very present commentary on racism and prejudice was done so well and flawlessly written into the plot!!! there was also discussions on what people would do for money and conformation to society. setting the plot where it is in our timeline makes everything feel more tangible. it was important in that time period, it's important in this time period, it will always be an important discussion that needs to be placed in everybody's head. just the fact that those problems are still prevalent in our modern time should say a lot about the oppression lasting generations that need be stopped. i think it was explored really well especially when are in memphis' perspective but also just the prejudice that ling experiences, even though she was born on the same land... definitely needs to be thought about and i am glad that it was very present in this popular book.

“i have never understood this obssession with where we are from, that we americans seem to have, we are from here, are we not?”

this is my last point but i just need to mention how beautifully i think the world building was executed once again. i only really learned to appreciate it in this second book but it was perfect because there was no point in the whole story wherein i felt "this was rushed" or "this part is laggy". even in the downtimes, i was still so curious and all the events felt important. it works up its way to every plot point and i am going to stop gushing about it now because i know that this won't be last time i talk about it since i still have 2 more books in this series to read.

amazing, phenomenal, important, character that you will love, will suck you in. read it!

this review was also way too long but thank you for reaching this part if you did

“I would argue that every country is built upon dreams and violence, both leave scars.”

--------------
GAHHHH. I THINK THIS IS AMAZING. BETTER THAN THE FIRST BOOK. GOT CREEPIER AND GAVE ME CHILLSSSS EVEN THOUGH I EXPECTED IT.

THE. BUILD. UP. WAS DONE SO PERFECTLY.

THE DIVERSITY. DIDNT FEEL FORCED.

REVIEW TO COME AFTER I GET SOME SHUT EYE because my review is currently a jumbled mess of notes and me screaming.

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