As with the first book in the series I didn't really love this and the book didn't feel that good, but I was deeply emotionally engaged with some aspects of the story which makes it hard to review. So I guess I'll just do this one in points.

1. The book feels kind of episodic there is the part set in dragon kingdom, then a sort of interlude set in Kiata court, then there is a quest part and then when it seems like the book is ending another short episode. They are all connected and theoretically we should feel the book's flow, but... I just didn't?

2. The love triangle everyone was worried about was here, but it was actually handled pretty well.

3. My favourite parts is - again - easily Raikama. I'm really looking forward to reading her book.

4. The besotted hero is one of my favourite tropes so obviously I quite liked the romance. Honestly Takkan put up with a lot.

5. I kept mixing up the brothers. I really wish there was a list somewhere.

6. Aside from characters list this book should also come with some recipes! I want to taste the soup Shiori keeps making!

7. I also feel like someone promised me court intrigue and there is almost no court intrigue in this book... just so no one else is disappointed...

8. I was listening to an audiobook and while the narration was well done I wasn't really a fan - especially of the way Kiki was narrated, the high pitch was quite jarring and annoying to me.


Overall, it was enjoyable but I felt it could have been better. By the end I was a little bit "meh" about everything, but I was also crying so I guess it worked.