First of all, let me just say there are some series that it would be okay-ish to read out of order. This is NOT one of them. Be careful even reading reviews on this one before you've read book one lest you see something you're not supposed to. I've kept my review spoiler free as usual, but just be careful out there peeps!

I wasn't sure Maria V. Snyder could keep my attention in the second part as well as she did in the first one. The desperate need to know what was going on in book one was a very strong driving force. But I needn't have worried, the plot in this second instalment was just as compelling as the first, and had a big Oh My Gosh moment to rival the reveal of Gateway in INSIDE OUT.

There was a little more time devoted to Trella's personal relationships which I was very happy about. Especially with Riley and Dr. Lamont. The tentative relationships she started with both characters are tested to the limit in this book. I felt slightly indignant on Trella's behalf at one point though. One of the other characters was being a little too hard on her, expecting her to know what to do simply because of her actions in book one. They were putting too much pressure on her and expecting her to- no, DEMANDING that she carry way too much weight on her young shoulders. It was very interesting to read through but gave me heartburn along the way.

"Nothing says you care for me better than offering to torture my enemies."

He grinned. "No sense doing things halfhearted. And to think, some girls have to endure listening to poetry."

There are a few grumblings here and there about a possible book three. It would certainly fit with MVS's previous series if it became a trilogy, but on the other hand, I feel like it could end perfectly fine here.

A great follow up- 4 Stars! ★★★★