Preliminary thoughts (pre-coffee)
Thinking back to Girls of Paper and Fire I remember it being really fun to see a story that was quite tropey made queer. It was the kind of book I would have needed as a teenager. I don't remember being blown away by the writing or the worldbuilding but neither were they bad, they just haven't stuck with me. As far as the plot is concerned I remember it broadly but I'm aware I'll have to do some catching up at the start of this book. 

This summary seems cool! It's always tricky to go from a story that has a clear progression and put your characters into 'the real world' so we'll see how that goes. 

I mean, it's queer we can assume I will enjoy this. 

First I will obtain coffee.

Chapter One - Five
Ok, thrown into the thick of it, I like it. I'd forgotten how 'informal' the language between the younger main characters is and I really enjoy it. I've been reading a lot of hefty fantasy lately in a lot of very historical settings and it's a welcome change to have characters commenting on each other's 'B.O.'

We're mostly setting up the new setting and the main players for this sequel in these chapters - which is what I expected. We've got some good antagonists, our protagonists are being gay and processing trauma which is, so far, well written. We've had some 'meeting the parents' moments which were a splash of the ordinary in an otherwise fantasy novel. It's fun, and it's not difficult to read. In some of my reading lately it's been a struggle to stay focussed and get to the end of a page but those first 58 pages really flew by! 

Let's see how the plot develops in the next 50 or so pages.

Chapter Six - Nine
"This is our time, Wren. Let's show everyone what two human girls can do."

Yup, we've definitely started developing the plot a little more and I like where this is going! Where the first book was so focussed in on these few characters this seems to be more about building broader alliances which I here for. I just think it allows for more exploration of different cultures and details of worldbuilding when you expand your scope in a sequel. I like it a lot.

As I think most people were expecting, a lot of this book (so far) has included Lei processing her trauma (or not, as the case may be). There have been inklings of dulling the pain with substances and some moments in which Lei is triggered. While these aren't always the easiest moments to read, I think it's important - given how horrible the events of the first book were - to acknowledge that trauma doesn't care if you're at the forefront of a revolution, trauma won't wait for you to calm down. I can't personally speak to the accuracy of the portrayal but it certainly feels genuine. 

Chapter Ten - Fourteen
Ooof this 50 page (ish) stretch was a rollercoaster! At first, I was delighted because things were very queer and happy, and then they immediately became queer and sad and I'm concerned that Lei and Wren are going to break up for a stupid reason (urgh). Then there was a murder and suddenly we're back in the 'this is high stakes Judith stop focussing on the romance aspect' land and to top it all off...

I had forgotten Aoki. 

For those who, like me, may have forgotten Aoki or maybe for some reason you couldn't/didn't read the first book in this series Aoki is one of the Paper girls from book one who believes that she is in love with the Demon King and that he loves her. Essentially it's the 'friend in an abusive relationship is in denial about it' and it hurts me to my core. It is so well written and so true to life (demon aspects aside) that it makes me well up. I hope to all heaven that Aoki gets a good ending in these books...

Chapter Fifteen - Eighteen
These chapters would probably be best described as 'our main band of heroes against the world'. There's a lot of travelling and the classic banter which I've talked about at the beginning of this post, but there's also a lot of violence and fighting and people getting the wrong end of the stick. One of our villains (no spoilers here pals) has made a sudden appearance and I'm hoping we'll get more of them later on. 

Chapter Nineteen - Twenty-two
Some more training montage which, to be honest, I'm appreciating. There are some books where I get really annoyed at how long it takes characters to get to reasonable fighting strength, while others skim over it like it's possible to become a master sword-wielder in a week - this feels realistic in time but there's enough else going on that it doesn't drag. 

We've also had a bit more of the 'substance abuse as a coping mechanism' addressed. It's not the main focus of the book but, I don't know, I appreciated them recognising that it is a messy process and it's easy to find those unhealthy coping mechanisms. 

We're well over halfway now and I'm expecting a side character death soon...we've just had a battle at sea so maybe?

Chapter Twenty-three - Twenty-six
No spoilers for who but THERE IT IS.

"I loosen a breath I didn't know I was holding."

Firstly let us acknowledge the above quote which I'm choosing to believe is in there ironically.

Next, let's talk about how this book has started to stomp on my heart and grind me up into the dust. 

The closer we get to the end the less I can say because of spoilers but let me just say THESE CHAPTERS ARE EMOTIONAL AND DRAMATIC AS HECK. 

100 pages to go (ish)

Chapter Twenty-seven - Thirty
Ok, so, I could probably have predicted where this was going (and I can't tell you where because it would be a spoiler) but suffice to say I AM GETTING ANNOYED. 

Like, it's a great plot moment and great storytelling but IS NOTHING SACRED?

(on the one hand, I love when sequels pull apart the first book and on the other hand [redacted because of spoiler]).

Chapter Thirty-One - End
A CLIFFHANGER ENDING BUT A GOOD ONE. 

Final verdict
I liked this a lot, I think I might even have liked it more than the first book, that could be a result of reading mood but also I think this book just had a much wider scope. It felt like the exact kind of YA I fell in love with a few years ago and it was exactly what I wanted to read to remind me that I do enjoy YA fantasy. Definitely read the first book before this one - but if you, like me, enjoy more vivid worldbuilding and action then I think you'll like the sequel more! The writing has relaxed ease to it that just keeps everything accessible and fun even though this book will destroy you when you least expect it. I'm looking forward to the third book (as yet untitled). 

My rating: 4/5 stars

I received a digital advanced review copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Girls of Storm and Shadow publishes November 5th!

5 stars.

Trigger warnings: murder, violence, torture, alcohol dependence, rape, death, distressing scenes.

Wow. What a book! I loved Girls of paper and fire but I think I loved this even more! This series is turning out to be a firm favourite of mine and even though this is technically not out yet, I am already desperate for the third book!

Right, to review this without spoilers is going to be hard but I will give it a go.
This book was filled with adventure, danger, fights and battles, brilliant wit, new wonderful characters and love. It sees Lei grow and become less of a village girl and more of a soldier. I adore her character and getting to know more layers to her personality outside of the horrors of the palace is wonderful. The new characters bring a fantastic dynamic to the whole book and reminded me of aelin galanthynius and her crew!

What's more, I didn't call the twists and shocks in the storyline which was both wonderful to not know what was coming and utterly HEARTBREAKING. I also really enjoyed the multiple views (that didn't chop and change too much) throughout the book.
The ending leaves me on a massive cliffhanger and I am probably going to read these 2 books a ridiculous amount of times before the third comes out.
If you can't tell, I adored every single part and will reread ASAP! I cannot wait to get my pretty Fairyloot edition!!

Please note that this ebook was gifted to me from netgalley in return for an honest review.

Girls of Storm and Shadow is an epic journey of a story. A journey that evolves distance travelled and the growth of the characters.

Although on a dangerous mission and dealing with past traumas their is humour, friendship and love in the story. It shows even in the darkest of time there are glimmers of light.

Girls of Storm and Shadow introduces us to a diverse bunch of characters. It's interesting to see how the different castes behave around each other. It also shows Demons that are kind to Paper. The animosity between the birds and cats that make me want to find out more about the Night wars. Also, I want to lock Cats and Birds into a room just for their barbed banter.

Girls of Storm and Shadow has moments in the book that will bring you to tears, make you laugh and make you gasp.

Lei and Wren are an interesting couple, the ying to each other yang. Wren up bring bringing and training has darkened her view and what she is willing to do to win. Where Lei still sees the good in people even after everything she has gone through. Although I worry that Lei seeing the good in people won't last.

As my copy is E-ARC the below quote might be in, but I hope it is as I want it on a t-shirt. If it wouldn't get me into trouble .

"What Can I say? Explosions make me happy"
The LGBTQ representation is high in Girls of Storm and Shadow. It's not just seen in Wren and Lei, but other characters. Also, no one is bothered that others are in same-sex relationships.

The last 25% of the book really had me on tenterhooks. The ending, I won't say anything but SERIOUSLY.

My rarting for Storm and Shadow is 4.5 out of 5.

I already enjoyed the first book a lot, but this was even better. There was a lot of action, a lot of sarcasm and a lot of character development. And after the cliffhanger ending of Girls of Paper and Fire, this was exactly what I needed.

For the war against the king, the Hannos need allies. For that reason, a small group sets out to talk to clan leaders and win them for their side: Lei and Wren, Wren’s teacher Caen, the shaman Hiro, the owl-demon Merrin and the leopard-demon-siblings Nitta and Bo. So. I love groups on quests. I love reading about their relationships and their dynamics and how they might change in certain situations. And Natasha Ngan did a really good job writing this group. All of them are such different characters, Hiro being quiet and mostly alone, Caen being the dad who hasn’t got anything under control and the siblings wreaking havoc wherever and whenever they can. The group feels like a little family that grows closer but there are always secrets looming, as well as the war that is right before starting. There’s a tension, in the group as well as the whole book itself, like a bowstring drawn, ready to be released. Because you as the reader knows there is something going to happen eventually. You know and it makes you nervous and fear for this group. I enjoyed the dialogues between the different people, the banter and the serious talks. Generally, this group is amazing and I fell a little bit in love with them all.

I also enjoyed the action scenes immensely. There was a lot of fighting, with hands and weapons and magic. They were fast paced and bloody and I could imagine it all really well, it felt like watching a film, seeing the characters run and stab and cry. And I think that the consequences of an (impending) war and the fights before were written well, as well as the consequences of betrayal, of loss and rape. The trauma felt raw and my heart hurt and I just wished I could help these characters. This book shows really well how differently people deal with bad things happening to them, how it may strengthen them or weaken them, how they affect the mind and body. And how they often affect not only people involved, but also their environment.

To sum this up, this book was a lot. It was dark, but also full of hope. The plot was fast paced and full of action, while still having a focus on the characters, which weren’t perfect. But they were perfect for this story. I enjoyed this a lot, but I also felt a lot.

Girls of Storm and Shadow also had me thinking a lot. What makes a villain? When does one become a villain? What goal justifies hurting others? What makes us who we are? How do our actions affect other people, especially those we love?

3.5 stars

My favourite part of this book were some of the new characters. Bo is so much fun, and I loved his devil-may-care attitude. He and his sister, Nittia, steal the scenes they're in with their antics. The banter and dynamic they have with Merrin is great too, making me giggle and wanting the relationship to grow.

My love for these characters meant there was a VERY emotional scene at maybe the 50%, 2/3 mark. The later emotional scene didn't hit me so hard, though.

It was nice to see the world expanded, to see beyond the palace and the different clans. There was a real diversity in locations - snowy mountains, plains, an archipelago and then a desert.

The book was interesting, but struggled to fully hold my attention. Part of me wanted to pick something else up. It was disappointing, even though a friend had warned me that it really feels like the middle book in a trilogy - filler to explain how the MC is in dire straights come the finale.

There wasn't a clear end point to head towards. Being a trilogy, I knew the book had to end on a big cliff-hanger to set up the final book - and for that to be something horrible. The big battle/climax would be the final book, so I had no idea what the second book was building towards. That made it hard to work out what the plot was, which I don't like.

It felt like there was no major through line to the story. They were looking for allies, but the villains felt so far away that there wasn't the tension to make that feel like the central idea.

There are four chapters from additional POV, one per character: Naja, Akoi, Kenzo and Azami. It took me a while to remember who Azami was, despite having just read GoPaF. I'm not sure what they added to the story, as there wasn't a plot unfolding through their POVs, just a little reminder - I guess - that these characters existed and to bring the villains a little more present.

Overall, I liked the new character, but didn't think the story was particularly strong or necessary.

I genuinely really really enjoyed this but my poor little heart can't forgive what happened in this book.

To put this in a round about term, I came very connected with a character and the BAM! I'm still pretty shook from it! I loved seeing more of the rebellion and seeing them connect and go to different places to try and recruit new members for the fight.

Ooooooh another thing that I really enjoyed seeing was seeing POVs from different characters, I found that really interesting and I kind of wanted more from it instead of one chapter for three characters maybe add in a few more from those characters to actually get an insight into what's happening in other places and catching up with other characters.

Due to what happened in Girls of Paper and Fire you can still see the trauma from what had happened inside of the Palace and I think that is extremely important. You could see how they dealt with it and that Lei was coping through the use of alcohol. I have never gone through anything like this so I can only assume, but sometimes people drink to forget and my heart went out to them.

I think my ONLY gripe with this is maybe Wren? I only say this because you can see changes in her that's slightly cruel... however that is because of her background.

There was quite a lot of back stabbing throughout that had me SHOOK and that ending, I mean I think we're all curious to discover what is going to happen with Lei!

Overall this is a solid book, it went in ways that I didn't expect, it dealt with hard hitting topics and you get to see old and new(ish) characters. I'm scared of what's to come!

I was so happy to receive the ARC of book 1 and after reading it, was hoping to get book 2 as soon as it came out, so getting this ARC meant a lot!

Where do I start? This was such a fantastic sequel! The world-building, character development and relationships only got stronger. I loved the writing as always, and that ending blew me away. I can't wait to reread this before the 3rd book comes out next year!

I highly recommend this to fans of the first book- this is on par with it and might be slightly better!!
Also, that cover is gorgeous!

I felt that this suffered with second book syndrome, there was a lot of travelling and bits of action but I just couldn't seem to really get into it. I think I have lost the connection that I felt with Lei and found myself bored reading her thoughts and her interactions with Wren. In the first book I enjoyed their growing attraction to one another but now they are together they have just got a bit dull, with the exception of the conflict during the second part of the book. The side characters are what kept me reading, the sibling banter with Bo and Nitta, along with Merrin were the highlight of the book. They all seemed more real and complex than Lei and Wren seemed to be which was disappointing since the main focus is on them. The plot moved slowly and the majority of it was them trying to get other clans on their side while being attacked occasionally. The writing flowed well like it did in the first book and I enjoyed the sections that focused on some of the other characters still in the palace since it added extra perspective to the overall story. There was something that made me want to give this 3.5 or 4 stars but then something happened which I will never be able to get over and after that I lost most of my interest in the rest of the book. I feel that it could have been done in a different way and still have resulted in the same plot point happening but it wouldn't have broken my heart! I'm not sure if I will continue with the series or not since I just don't have the same connection to the characters that I had from the last book but we'll see.

A fast paced and action packed sequel to Girls of Paper and Fire. I have really enjoyed this series with its female led fantasy and Sapphic romance. I especially morally dubious MCs – not all girls have to be sweetness and light! No spoilers but it was well worth the wait – highly recommend.

Slightly disappointing.

I loved Girls of Paper and Fire and expected to feel the same for the sequel, but this book felt different somehow. I didn't love the writing as much this time and I didn't particularly care for the relationships. Lei irritated me a lot in this sequel and the characters that I loved and found interesting were either killed off or made a very brief appearance at the start of the book and didn't really add anything to the story.

Nothing really came as a shock either, things were hinted at or happened off screen and it didn't have me on the edge of my seat or make me feel any strong emotions other than 'oh'.

This felt like a filler book for the series. Sure there were battles and fights etc but I didn't feel like it added anything particularly new to the story. It finally started to get somewhat interesting at the end but then it just...ended.

A disappointing read. The whole book follows Lei, Wren and friends' mission across the country to gather allies from the upcoming war with the King. We get to know different states and some of the clans but nothing much else seems to happen. There are several action scenes that lacked suspense and there was also a lack of character growth.
POV of main characters, apart from Lei, would've added an interesting twist to the book. Instead we get POVs that don't add much to the story. Main plot twists were delivered in conversation without much build-up or consequences.
Overall, it was an enjoyable read if you like 'we're-on-a-mission'-type of books but as a sequal it didn't deliver what I was hoping for.

Thanks to NetGalley for an early copy of this book for review.

I loved the first book in the series, so, if I said I went into this one with low expectations, I’d be lying. Fortunately, this book met and surpassed those expectations.
Although the world was rich in the first book, this one made it look almost bland. The world of Girls of Paper and Fire was beautiful and magical, but it was mostly confined to the walls of the palace; in this one, the readers and Lei get to see into corners of the kingdom unimaginable in the first. Not only do we get to see new kingdoms and cultures, but we see more of the different castes of characters, and how each interact with each other.
This means a lot of new characters and new characters have to interact. A lot hate each other or love to hate each other, meaning the readers gets a new family to replace what the Paper Girls essentially were in the first. The new and old characters are so full of mystery - to keep their plan safe - meaning there were so many things that happened or decisions that were made that I would not have been able to predict. We do also get the occasional chapter from the POV of a character in the last book, letting us check up on characters we may have grown to love before or that we wanted to keep an eye on because of the bad things they could be doing.
With new characters come new romances. And, not only new romances, but new LGBT+ romances - no one bats an eye, it’s completely normal for a relationship like that. We get to see more of Lei and Wren this time too, falling in love and just getting to be young. Their relationship is beautiful and their trauma is shared, which made some parts of their relationship even more heartbreaking.
And my heart really does break for Lei. Natasha Ngan writes her trauma so painfully as something just brewing beneath the surface. It’s something that’s helped, but not solved, by being in love, and there are now added challenges to her life - some I’m sure she never expected to face - that make coping with them even harder.

But, that ending? I need the next book now! I want to know they’re all okay and, after that ending, I can’t possibly be sure!

I really enjoyed Girls of Paper and Fire when I read it last year, so I was super excited to get the chance to read an e-arc of its sequel! Unfortunately, I didn't love it. What I loved from the first one was the setting, the friendships, and the budding relationship, I felt this one had a different tone that I wasn't too keen on

The first book in this series follows Lei, a young girl who is taken from her small village to become one of the Demon King's Paper girls: a courtesan. This book explores repression, power, secret romances, rebellion, and magic. The second book follows Lei and her girlfriend Wren after the events, and explosive ending, of the first book...

This book had a slow start, which felt a bit odd for a sequel. The first book ends with such a bang that I was looking for that momentum to continue in this one. It reminded me of Siege and Storm...and not in a good way (I don't particularly like that series). It definitely felt like a middle book

I did still enjoy the characters of Lei and Wren, though I felt less invested in their relationship than in the first book. The world and politics still interested me, and I enjoyed learning more about them

Some bits of the writing annoyed me, but I'm not sure if some of is it because it's an arc? For example "slither" was used instead of "sliver" at one point. I also felt like things were so over-explained and I was given no chance to figure things out myself (things that were not at all complex in the first place, and they were stated so unnecessarily bluntly)

Overall, I would still recommend this series. It has great rep of Asian and lesbian protagonists, and the world is interesting and original. I'll definitely be reading the next (final?) book

3.5 stars

I really don't know how I actually feel about this book. I thought the first one was okay, and although I liked this one better, I still feel like I can't connect with this series as much as everyone else seems to be doing.

I liked Lei and some other characters but I'm not the biggest fan of Wren. I generally liked some elements of this book, like seeing how people deal with trauma and how doing some things in the name of justice isn't always good.

Although I didn't love this, I'm definitely interested in seeing what happens next.

A long-awaited follow up to the wonderful Girls of Paper and Fire. After a slow start to the story, it picks up pace and we rejoin Lei and her friends as they try to find a way of defeating the King of the Demons. There was a sense of middle-book-itis with this as the story and characters seemed to wander from one location to another and the intensity of emotion that carried you along in the first book was more diluted. However, it was still an interesting and fun story, with richly-created characters that leap off the page and make you love them (Bo for one!) or hate them. Despite the slower pace, it is still a great story and I enjoyed reading it.

This book like the first is completely amazing and a test to the love we have for these characters as we seem them struggle to keep themselves together but also make the world a place that is safe and kind.

Really enjoyed the second installment to this series though it is very different from the first! It was interesting to learn more about characters we only met briefly in the first and to see them all rallying for war. I do think I enjoyed the setting of the first more but saying that the journey aspect of this was still engrossing. Looking forward to reading the next book now!

Overall
This was a well-formed and well written middle book in a trilogy. It's been a while since I've read a middle book that flowed like this.

I continue to love Lei for her sweetness and goodness and find the world magical.

I felt there were less Asian references in this book that the first book, but that may just be me.

The Story
The story continues after the first book with about a two-week time gap. It takes Lei around the country as she is trying to escape from the memories and the PTSD, though the bottle helps a bit too, and tries to recruit people for their cause. She has joined the Hannos and tries to fight against the King and stay out of his way at the same time.
The story flowed naturally throughout the book and the decisions and events occurred naturally too.

The World-building
As a second book the world-building of the basics where done, but the book added to the first book due to travelling around and exploring the extent of the country. A typical feature for a second book and well-done in this series.

The magic/science
The magic is not something our main character get involved with apart from her new knife (I think there is something more to that knife than we are told...). But both Wren and Hiro get deep into the magic which is all focused on the balance of the world.

Something is going on with Wren though and her magic powers. I'm not sure what it is, but it's hinted at.

The characters
Lei is the main character and the narrator for the book. I really like her. She is good and kind and loving and also badass when needed.

Other characters like Wren and Bo and Merrin are great supports to Lei and her story. Oh, Bo...

There are the occasional chapters throughout the book which is narrated by someone else not part of the main story in book 2 but was featured in book 1. This is a great way to show what is happening elsewhere in the kingdom and to say hello to an old character.

LGBT+?
Oh yes! Lei is very much a lesbian, but there are other queernesses in this book too.

It was interesting how the queerness wasn't only a feature in the story on the side, it was part of the story. At some points, it caused some tension and in other parts is eased the tension and made things sweet.

The Writing
It's a well-written book but didn't grip me completely and I'm not sure why. I had the same feeling about book 1 in the series.

Summary
Well done, looking forward to the third and last instalment!

The new band of friends on a mission was a really nice touch in this second title and I really liked the new characters that were introduced. However, I felt that the realisation of Wren's involvement in some of the more heinous acts came a bit late as it was fairly obvious from early on what her and her father were doing. I felt that Lei was ridiculously naive and frankly didn't particularly like her or Wren. I also felt that this book suffered from 'middle book syndrome' and felt a little bit that it was just filler. The most interesting bits of it were the fighting.

Girls of Paper and Fire was one of my favourite, if not my favourite, book of last year. It was bold, daring, had captivating characters and I finished it in pretty much in one sitting. In contrast, Girls of Storm and Shadow had terribly slow pacing, characters with evaporating personalities and perhaps one of the most uneventful plots I've come across in a long time.

In Girls of Paper and Fire we see Lei and Wren escape the clutches of their captor, a sadistic demon King who Lei later aggressively stabs in the eye and leaves for dead. Wren, it turns out, is some sort of badass warrior princess and that's all it took for Lei to fall in love with her; I loved them both. This next instalment shows us what life looks like for them now they're on the run.

I can only assume something big is in store for the concluding book, because this book is pure filler. We see Lei and Wren attempting to gain followers for the upcoming battle against a King they learn is merely eyeless as opposed to dead and hellbent on revenge, and that's about it. Wren has an influential family of power, so this is relatively easy work, and Lei is being hunted so has to keep moving at any cost which results in lots of travelling scenes.

This book promised dark magic and vengeance and it just did not deliver. Absolutely nothing happened, nothing at all, until at least 50% of the way through. At which point the plot began to take shape but still failed to deliver anything of any significance to develop the larger storyline. Remember Lei discovered her word was "flight"? We still don't know why. Remember the paper girls she left behind? We see them for two fleeting chapters but learn almost nothing of what will happen to them now. It's just a complete waste of time.

On a positive note, there are new characters introduced and they're quite likeable - the banter between the cat and bird clans just about held the book together for me. Unfortunately Wren and Lei felt like completely new characters too - they both had interesting personalities in the last book and very clearly defined character traits you could easily recognise them by. In this book its like they've been entirely rewritten; I barely recognise them at all. Wren was full of mystery and intrigue, a dark sense of humour and huge sex appeal beforehand, but she shows none of this now. Lei was curious, kind-hearted but daring and fought for what she believed in; she still does some of that, but it's so half-hearted. Many difficult situations are solved with Lei fainting, so we have no idea what happens in the interim period. This is true for Lei and Wren's relationship too which seems to have hugely developed since the last book, and I feel robbed from having seen this development take place. The dialogue between the characters is also so deliberate, full of obtuse hints which were unnecessary and ruined any plot twists and just didn't suit them at all.

I really wanted to believe this book was going to be amazing and this forced me to push through 416 pages. I can't believe I'm saying this, but this should have been a single book standalone .rather than a series, because I am deeply regretful for having read this and ruined my love for it.