The characters we know and love/hate all play a role in this race against time to end a curse that causes six teenagers to die at the hands of their peers every 20 years. There are alliances and betrayals, and the plot moves so quickly that you worry about falling behind. I was hooked from the first page and am devastated that it is now over!
The second book picks up right where the first left off, and the action never stops! I liked how we delved deeper into the back stories of each of our complex, morally grey characters and watched how their carefully plotted actions played out, with plenty of twists to keep you on the edge of your seat. But it was seeing how Allistair and Isobel dealt with the consequences of their actions that piqued my interest.

The writing was once again incredibly detailed, as was the world-building, which is taken a step further as we delve into the tournament's history, the inner workings of the curse, and the stories surrounding each champion's families—the lore of which was incredible! I liked how we also got t the opportunity to see more of the champions' families and how their influence has affected them—particularly for some of the lesser-known families, such as the Grieves.