I HAVE TO SAY…

SYNOPSIS

After Poppy learns the truth about Hawke aka Casteel aka The Dark One and the truth about the Ascended and Ascension, she works through her feelings about the entire situation, not understanding how or why marrying Casteel and going to Atlantia is even an option.

On top of this, she is surrounded by people who distrust her because of her role as Maiden.

What could happen?

RECAP AND REVIEW

This is the second book in a five plus book romantasy series. The review of the first book is here. Like the first, this is written in the first person from Poppy’s perspective. It picks up immediately where the last one left off.

I liked this book much more than the first, but I don’t recommend skipping the first one either. It gives a lot of context for this book, even though some of it is reexplained.

Going in, I thought we would reach Atlantia sooner since that is the plan from the beginning, however it makes sense how everything plays out. Reading this one, I’d just keep in mind that reaching Atlantia is the goal of this book and they encounter hiccups on the way.

In the grand scheme of things, not much happens, but enough does and I was invested the entire time.

To be honest, there’s a lot of info dumping going on, but I personally didn’t mind it. It also helped me better understand the lore and the world, which is something that confused me a little in the last book. There’s a lot of history explained because Poppy is so curious, but because of how the author writes this, I don’t doubt (and I hope) anything of value will be recollected in books to come.

Nothing prepared me for how this book ended.

There are discussions around the topic, little Easter eggs, but I didn’t crack the truth behind them. I like how it ended and I’m glad I have the third book from the library already so I can start reading as soon as possible.

Casteel, aka Hawke, was more likable to me in this one. I promise it isn’t a spoiler that he loves Poppy real bad. Navigating their dynamics and Poppy having an internal war with herself about Casteel was half the fun of this book. Because how they met is crazy and how they’re forced to be around each other and Casteel proposes to her despite the betrayal is crazier.

The discussion of Poppy not being immediately accepted by Casteel’s people, Descenters, Wolven Atlantians, is real. Regardless of Poppy’s intentions and help now and her ignorance then, she was a symbol for the Ascended and cherished by the Queen. It makes sense that people are distrusting of her and hesitant about the Prince’s plans with her.

Kieran is my favorite and I think his bantering is the most entertaining. I like his relationship with Poppy. Every scene he’s in I’m giddy.

There are times that can be a little cheesy. Times of streams of consciousness and random questions Poppy brings up, but they also make fun of her for it. Again, as a whole, not a lot happens. There are maybe three or four big events and fights. The story revolves around Cas and Poppy figuring out how to move forward and Poppy learning more information.

OVERALL

Overall, I give this book a 4.5 out of 5 stars. I usually don’t do halves but it doesn’t feel right not doing it for this one. I really liked it as a whole and am excited to see where this series goes.