This is my second try writing this review. The first time, it got deleted when the screen thought I pressed the back button instead of the space bar.

I enjoyed this book more than the first, though Laurent was still frustrating. He was better, and he was at least up front about being a coward when the three of them were finally reunited again. Unsurprisingly, this took time to happen.

Most of the book was Given alone or with Varick. Though I would say the blurb is misleading. Given is only shown visions of Varick, not Laurent. When she does finally see Laurent, she is trying to farsee and ask for Rhys's help. Instead, she lands in Laurent's map room. They seem to bond a time bit, but that quickly goes out the window when Varick and Given return to Laurent's side. Laurent asks to see Varick instead of Given. Suffice to say, this annoyed Given, but she kept her head up.

Laurent later admitted that he took the coward's way when he asked to see Varick first. He had a fairly valid excuse, but the problem is that he hadn't even tried. So it causes more strain between the king and queen of Nor Doru.

As much as I love the MM side of this series and love how Varick and Laurent love each other so much, their obsession is a bit off-putting. Don't get me wrong, I've read a lot of books that deal with obsession between partners, and I'm used to it, for the most part. And considering how close they both came to losing each other, both from inside and outside their relationship, it makes sense that they would be nearly feral for each other upon their reunion. But something about it just rubs me wrong, and I have no idea why. Maybe it's because I'm already frustrated with these people that I'm seeing everything in a different light? I don't know.

But, anyway, this book ends on a more ... dramatic note. And leaves a very unsteady future in front of our main three. Curse Varick for thinking nothing could ruin that night. You never ever say or think that. It will always mean something will ruin it.

But, next is the final book where everything will come to a head. I predict that Given will throw herself into the Rift to allow whatever needs to happen so the realm can be saved. Mainly because I can't see any of them being okay with throwing an innocent child into the Rift, especially not now that feelings are involved.

I'm actually interested to see where this goes now. It's the final showdown against Midian. And it won't be an easy win.