Like the previous book, Mastering the Flames, this book focuses more on the romance versus the external action of the overarching plot. That being said, I both loved that Daniel gets his time to shine; he and Rory are wonderful characters to follow and--because of how close he is with the rest of the cast--we really get a wonderful host of characters sharing the screen with them. One of my favorites is when a romance doesn't focus only on two people as though they're the only two in the book's universe all of a sudden and we don't have that issue here. Additionally, we're gifted a bonus POV from Cian, which I absolutely adore. We also have some of the all-time coolest magics in this universe (which is saying something). Overall, I enjoyed the romance to action ratio much more in this book, as it's closer to the original three in the series. Highly recommend this one!


Knowing what I know now about this book, would I still read it if I went back in time?
Definitely. Already have.


 See below for the four criteria I use to decide whether and when to read a book



CHARACTERS: Daniel has come a long way as a character, especially with the amount of trauma he suffered as a child/young man before becoming Angel's apprentice. Throughout the previous four books we've seen him begin to come into his own and by this book his growth is exponential and absolutely wonderful to read. There are no miraculous healing moments, Daniel, like Isaac, still has issues he's working through, but surrounded by his family and his love, we get the chance to truly see him shine. Rory is a wonderful addition to this story as well (although I will admit that my favorite POVs are still the couple that we're gifted from Eroch). We learn a lot more about Rory and Cian's past (what we can of such a long history) but overall despite having, in my opinion, mostly romance, this book has just enough action to be a welcome respite from the main overarching plot.


PLOT: Primarily centered around Daniel and Rory and their relationship from friends-to-lovers, the gang also contends with two different mysteries, one that involves Eroch and the other involving Rory and Cian. With lives specifically targeted, Daniel takes the metaphorical driver's seat this time in keeping his family and lover safe. The climactic events are interspersed throughout a whopper of an ending on the romance level and we finish with a jaw dropping moment that sets us up perfectly for the next full book in the series, The Necromancer's War.



EMOTIONAL INTENSITY: There is no good/bad here. Sometimes I just want a low-investment entertainment read whereas other times a high-stakes 'I need a therapist to recover' is what I need.

2:5/low. Again, read the description, as anything from Daniel's past, although only ever referenced, may be triggering to some.



CATHARTIC FULFILLMENT: Is the emotional journey worth it? Do I finish this book feeling that I've crested the wave of the climactic moment and everything has been settled, leaving me settled and fulfilled? 

90%. I appreciated the climactic events in this one more than the previous book. They feel truly epic and like a right of passage for Daniel that culminates in a rather incredible scene on the romance side. Overall I'm excited to move on to the next book from here and get back to the main plot! Things are definitely about to heat up and this book ends on that note.