I read the first book in this fantasy trilogy last year and thought it was super fun but nothing hugely groundbreaking, good enough to keep reading the rest of the trilogy when I had time.

This is the second and middle book. I got about a quarter in and it GRABBED ME AND WOULD NOT LET GO. Like OMG it is 3AM I have to put the book down. Like get out of the shower and read a few more pages standing next to the bed. Like finished it and RAN to Amazon to buy #3.

It is a strong plot for a middle book, well-developed on its own, but that also pulls in threads for the larger trilogy cycle. The characters are so well done and just so much FUN. The world-building is terrific. I could quibble that there’s some implausible decisions to further the plot, the “element games” is a bit of a gimmick and drags the pacing, there’s only one major female character in a good-sized cast (a classic example of the “she’s not like all those other girls” problem), and a cliffhanger ending, but still. FUN. FUN.

Also I am a sucker for a good 'ship and this is a REALLY GOOD 'SHIP.