There at 5* reviews of this on here and I am utterly dumbfounded.

I was disappointed with book 1, but I thought with the magic system being as interesting as it was and the set up for the next part of the story as it was, that it was worth reading book 2.

Yeah, it's worse.

It's worse because there is literally zero character development, and zero plot. And this book is so freaking slow, because it's literally argument, middle grade dialogue where there is no communication and a lot of insulting, inner monologuing for every POV that fills up the entire chapter and nothing actually happens, Tessa having a mental breakdown, the men talking about lusting after whoever it is they're lusting after, Theon repeating for the millionth time how studied and knowledgeable and clever he is but doesn't actually do anything that relays that, something/ someone attacking Tessa, some sex, and repeat..... Over, and over, and over.... For the entire book.

I see a lot of, "the author warns you that this is dark fantasy! She warns you that the MMC is loathsome and full of red flags! Stop complaining!" There is literally no excuse for zero plot, subpar prose, and no character development other than being a mediocre writer. Just because you give "trigger warnings" does not then make bad writing excused. You can have a twisted and grey character and still root for them. Apparently we're meant to see Theon as an anti-hero, but he does ZERO for the book. He hasn't grown at all from book one, he's still a loudmouth wussy (constantly shit talks and postures but continues to do it in the most idiotic ways knowing his dad is going to retaliate on him and everyone around him), he is still an ego inflated jerk and doesn't understand social cues, he's emotionally stunted, he LITERALLY MENTALLY ACKNOWLEDGES that he recognizes that he is not doing enough for Tessa and asking the worst of her and expecting too much of her, and then just.... Continues to do all of the things.

I'm confused why Luka is the side piece. Are we meant to despise Theon and root for her to truly fall for Luka? If so, it's working. But I unfortunately don't think that's the angle here. Also, if I get another POV of Axel I'm going to puke. His POV does nothing for the story other than showing his relationship with Katya. His storyline doesn't further the plot, not until his very last chapter, and none of the other ones would have been necessary to build into the last one.

Tessa is extremely unlikable. There was a lot of grace given to her by the readers (I'm assuming, because that was my experience) in book one. The way she was treated growing up in the fae homes and then at first as Theon's concubine was horrendous. But this book takes things to a completely aggravating level. She's what you call an, "untrustworthy narrator" or main character, because she hides things and keeps secrets from even you as the reader looking into her mind and reading from her POV. this can be used and done SO BEAUTIFULLY in writing. This author doesn't get it. We get an entire book on mind fucked ramblings and depression and repeats of dreams/ visions and inner monologue of stuttering prophecy, and then at the end of it we're supposed to be impressed with her ability to hide this stuff and make secret plans on her own that we only know about at the end. It just doesn't work here. 

There are approximately 800 new characters that pop in f om other realms and/ or have been here for awhile hidden in plain sight. EVERY. SINGLE. ONE OF THEM. talk in that idiotic argumentative banter and speak in riddles. Every single one of them. There's no diversity in personalities at all. It's beyond exhausting, and not enjoyable to read.

You guys this book is just bad. Junior writing, childish dialogue, no plot.