POV: 3rd, multi-POV
Star rating: ★★★★★

Carole Cummings owes me a box of tissues. Or three. I swear, I didn't stop crying from beginning to end with this one and it was torture!

I absolutely loved that this story picked right up from where book 1 left off. There was no messy re-telling of the entire plot of book 1 or going too deeply into the backgrounds of the characters – just plain and simple, moving flawlessly into the next chapter of this epic story.

Similarly, I loved that the POV's didn't change either. No one was missing that got their POV in book 1 and we didn't get any messy new POV's that changed how things had been going so far. Everyone got to say their piece and show their story, just as they did in book 1.

However, I have to say that this one had a whole lot more story packed into it. Probably because so much of book 1 centered on solving the mystery of Fen, that they never really had the chance to delve too deeply into the “how” of helping him. Not that book 1 didn't have plenty of story, but I clearly saw three parts in this book that would have made fantastic endings, only to go on and give us even more too look forward to, all winding into the same plot seamlessly. For me, book 2 packed more of a punch, both with action and the emotional rollercoaster, which is hard for me to say since I loved book 1 to the nth degree.

There was a really interesting dilemma at the start, where Joori and his family were just being rescued and settling into their new safe house, while trying to work around Jacin's moodiness. I loved the way that Joori was so fiercely protective of Jacin, the way he butted heads with Malick and all that it entailed. They're both strong characters, both ready to lay their lives down for Jacin, who is his usual oblivious self, so it really made sense that they couldn't get along.

To the sticky stuff – the stuff I can't mention without spoiling it – I'll say only this:
Umeia broke my heart
Caidi stole it.
Yori...well, I can't honestly say that she made any difference to me.
I cried when Malick gave Fen the ring (and a whole bunch of other times that I can't mention)

The Umeai storyline was a shock, but one that kept me on my toes and really made me nervous. I hated watching her and Malick falling out and ending up on different sides. But, at the same time, I do think that her talk with Joori really opened his eyes about Malick and I can't regret that. I was so mad with Umeai though that I'm not sure I'll ever forgive her for being so stupidly bloody-minded and short-sighted. How could she doubt Malick that way?

And, yes, I'm a terrible person. Just as Yori and Joori are getting their flirt on, my full attention is focused on his brief talk with Madi and I suddenly had this amazing image of them together. However, considering the end of the story, I don't see that happening. I do, however, want to see Joori maybe make another exception in the future. Hint, hint.

I nearly squeeed my heart out when I saw Morin finally come into his own and be more than the annoying pain in the ass he'd been until now. To see him growing up, revealing his truth and becoming useful to the team was just beautiful to see and I love how much promise it has for the future.

Malick and Shig, even more than in book 1, have such a special relationship. They way they take care of each other, can read each other without needing words or thoughts, and the fact that they (generally) know what is best for each other is really special.

And, finally, before I give too much away, I have to say that I LOVED so hard the revelation of who “the one” would be. It was just who I wanted it to be.

Overall, again, the magic touch of a perfect balance between genius plotting, brilliant storytelling and heartfelt characterisation made this another knock out. I can't wait to go into the next one.

~

Favourite Quote

It was incredibly hard to whittle down my favourites to just a choice few, but here goes:

“When Fen glared at you, you instinctively checked to make sure you were armed, and when he spoke, you listened for the snarl and made sure you had a clear shot to the exits, just in case. When Joori came at you, it was more like being scolded by an unhappy duck – all squawks and flapping about, and empty attempts at offense he couldn't carry through.”

“And all at once, Joori could almost understand what his brother might see in Malick. He was brilliant in his fury, diamond-hard in his pain, almost beautiful in his extremity of pure and perfect rage.”

“You said you'd pretend.”