Damn this was good and a lot better from Shadow and Bone (3 stars). I'm also loving the titles chosen for each book as we witness Alina learning her true identity and growing into it over the course of the trilogy.

Nikolai stole the show for me. I can't wait to see more from him and in HIS OWN BOOKS. I'm ready.

I'm probs going to hell for getting a thrill every time the Darkling is mentioned. He just owns the moment every damn time with his darkness urgh what is it about him (no I am not picturing Ben Barnes and his black locks as I write this, of course not)??? But when he admits to being there everytime Alina thought she was hallucinating about him? Oh the second degree embarrassment!

The few downsides like in Shadow and Bone is the slower pace to this book and whole chunks where nothing is reallly happening. But as I'm listening to it on audio, Lauren Fortgang's reading is so fun that I don't mind it. The best action took place in the first and last 20 minutes of the book and that to me made it worthwhile. Mal I'm also assuming is marmite for readers. He and Alina are clearly in love and he is the gentlest person around her but his struggle with Alina's growing irresponsibility was frustrating. A lot of it comes from pride as his own title is stripped but I hope it's going to be a learning point in the third book and he can carve a place for himself ALONGSIDE Alina.

Bring on Ruin and Rising next.