#cc spoiler

I was surprised that it actually turned in to much more of a mystery book than I was anticipating. I actually really liked that about it!

Bryce is my least favorite SJM heroine.  She seemed too much like Aelin, but not nearly as well- developed of a character as Aelin. She and Hunt were cute together and I enjoyed their flirting, but they’re definitely not my OTP.  I liked her much more at the end of the book than at the beginning.  You know, growth.

Hunt also seemed a little vanilla.  Broody, pining over a lost love, yadda yadda, the usual.  I did like that although he is a slave, he does have choice in his actions, even his bad decisions.  As opposed to TOG, where the cadre are basically slaves to Maeve and she literally physically controls what they do.

I DID love Lehabah, Ruhn, Hypaxia, Tharion and of course Syrinx! Syrinx reminds me so much of my pug.

I really liked the world-building and the variety of creatures/people who co-exist (but not always peacefully) on this planet.  The war in Pangera seems almost inevitable to come to Valbara.

Best aspect of world building: otter messengers in little vests!!!  I squealed.

I liked the first half of the book, but wasn’t totally hooked by it.  But about halfway, the pace really picked up and the mystery deepened and I couldn’t put it down until I found out what happened!

I loved the plot twist of Micah being the “bad guy”; his motives totally make sense.  Now I’m going to have to go back and reread to see if I can pick up on any subtleties pointing to him that I missed the first time.

Bryce vacuuming Micah up and throwing him in the trash was the best thing ever.

Jesiba cracked me up everytime she threated to turn Bryce into an animal.  I also loved that she checked on Bryce to make sure she was OK after Micah.

I’m excited to see where the next book goes!  The hints at the end about Hunt’s father makes me think he’s one of the Asteri (the dead one, I don’t remember his name). I don’t believe for a second that Bryce and Hunt are going to live quiet lives now.  I hope for more of Ruhn and Hypaxia, Bryce and the Autumn King’s relationship, and if society is going to be able to rid itself of Asteri rule.  Jesiba and Aidas seem to be working on something at the end...