Holy shit. It’s honestly so heartbreaking to me that I don’t see more people talking about this duology because it is one of the best I’ve ever read. Jordan Ifueko has created a beautiful world with a stunning cast of characters and personalities. Seeing the growth of some of the characters was amazing to watch and I’m so mad at myself for taking this long to read the sequel. 

Sometimes sequels don’t live up to the first installments but this book was the perfect continuation and end to Tarisai’s story. It was kind of difficult for me to get through the first half of this book but that was purely because it was so hard for me to watch Tarisai go through all the mental and emotional labour she was taking on and that was being forced upon her.

The only thing I wish we could have seen more of was the other characters' stories. Sometimes I really take multiple pov books for granted. In books like this, where we are following one single persons story, it can be so hard for me especially if the rest of the characters are so interesting like they are here. I want to see Kitah’s journey around the continent and see how she decides to move on with Woo In. I want to see what it was like for Sanjeev during those months he was away (or even his pov from the children’s palace). I want to see Dayi and Ai Ling and how they grow together with the new baby. I want to see some of the other members from both counsels that we only got snippets of. I need a whole new book just dedicated to all the other characters cause I’m craving more!