I do not know how to start this review.

There was sooo much going on which at times was a bit jarring. But I really did appreciate getting somewhat of a better understanding of characters and their motivations.

This book was constantly on 100. Characters dying and betrayals and pregnancies and dead people and more dead people and more dead people.

I just felt the ending left me wanting…more? Something different perhaps? After the 70-80% I could pretty much guess where the book was going and although the ending was deserved, the journey felt a bit…lacklustre.

Overall, I enjoyed the story and I always enjoy reading about Zhu & Ouyang.

Definitely darker than the first, but just as good. There are a lot of characters to keep track of, but at no point was confused. Grief, pain, shame all covered and written about so beautifully. Tis book will leave you reeling long after that last page. It so much, and so complex and covers so many emotions. The ending is so perfect, it wouldn’t work with so many books, but just fits for this one! Words can’t describe the beautiful heartbreak. Every character felt so human in their choices and their raw, powerful emotions. The perfect duology.