Codename Firefly is just like its predecessor a solid five-star read but I liked the first book a bit more. We’re now back at Cimmeria after that cliff-hanger from book one, though this book feels very isolated from the first one. Besides Gray having PTSD from the events there and the overarching plot, there are barely any connections. For example, the love interest Jake from book one is almost forgotten and definitely not relevant anymore. 

The story follows different POVs which made me first worried that Gray’s POV would maybe be neglected but it luckily wasn’t. We for one follow her navigating through her new life at Cimmeria and finding out more about the murder plot around her mother. The other perspectives include Allie’s and Jules’/Julia’s, both trying to keep Gray safe. There was an interesting conflict between those two because of their past conflicts and their conflicting views on Gray’s safety. At least they talk it out in the end. 

Like in all of Daugherty’s books I’ve read yet, the plot is quite intriguing. Here, it was especially the whole murder plot around Gray’s mother and the fact that there’s a spy at Cimmeria – again. Even though the Night School series takes place at the same setting, Codename Firefly had a really different vibe. This may be because Cimmeria has changed so much since Allie is the principal since she is not as strict with the rules, technical devices are now allowed and

the night school itself doesn’t exist anymore

. 

But still, there was much fanservice; for those who are interested:

Rachel’s sister now goes to Cimmeria as well, Eloise is the English teacher, Zelazny is still there, Zoe is there for training the students, and Carter is the security chief. We even get some Carter x Allie scenes, I can’t! My highlight honestly was Nathaniel who apparently had some kind of redemption arc that he even calls Allie to warn her. This all had the intended effect: I got really nostalgic

. I also love how consistent it is with Night School since the author remembered to include important events from the pasts, like Polish students coming to Cimmeria at the end of Endgame or the painting in the chapel still being destroyed.  

I really loved the ending of the novel that felt like a true all-star meeting:

All our beloved characters, including Rachel and Nicole, are returning and it was amazing to see them all as grown-ups. And even Sylvain is still there but how can Allie still like him? Urgh. Seeing them all fighting was such a throwback. All in all, the finale was just exciting

. I only have two smaller critiques concerning the plot: First, it is at some points quite predictable. Second, the motivations of the villain are still a bit weak for my taste. 

Gray’s character development was amazing as well. She does some stupid things throughout the novel but in the end, she realizes that she has to fight for what is important to her. But I’ll have to say that I’m not very fond of her new love interest, since she’s 16, he’s 19 and her bodyguard, meaning she’s dependent on him. Jules as another of the main characters got a more extensive backstory which I enjoyed so much as well. And her love story with

Cameron

? Amazing. 

I generally liked all the side characters, though I have to admit that the character constellations were quite similar to Night School but more diverse: Minal reminded me of Rachel, Dylan likes literature just like Carter, and Sophie is the cliché mean girl similar to Katie. I also sometimes had trouble to differentiate Minal and Maya, since both their names also start with a M and are a bit similar character-wise. Sadly, the characterization of the only autistic character is still cliché and people call her “crazy” – not talking about autism but about her as a person, but still. 

Nevertheless, this book had all that I could wish for in a sequel to Number 10. There’s still so much potential and unanswered questions and I’m excited to find out where Daugherty will take us next!