Thanks für the eARC, Jade! 💕

I had wildly high expectations for this one, because as cozy as TSC was, that ending shocked me to the core - so much so that the book was on my mind regularly over this past year. 🤯 (Plus I'm a sucker for a love triangle so there's that, too.)

We're taking court intrigue a step further in TSH, as the feud between Amarus and Illija isn't just a distant thing their kids fight over. It's right there with them, as Ambrose and Kez are being made pawns in a war that is taking a hefty toll on Xenkesh - I didn't want to trade places with either of them. 😨 Ambrose, because he's trying to do right by his people and his king - all while feeling the two don't necessarily align... so he's on his own, trying to figure out the best way to end the war, and ideally keep Kezerah out of the equation while it seems more and more impossible. Kez, because she's trying to remain neutral as is expected of her, all while the courtiers follow different methods in trying to get her to comply... Considering how sheltered as she was all her life this is a whole new world for her to navigate, and she has to be extra careful in whom she trusts. Dar is always at her side (still love that guy!), but it raises eyebrows and makes his soldiers question him.

As in TSC we have several noteworthy side characters, from Rorrik, who grew on me despite his flaws (and I'm curious to see how he'll fare in book three!), to Safeya whose unpredictability I enjoyed immensely(!), to Eriko because OMG!

Neither Illija nor Amarus are perfect as people, but the 'worst parent' award clearly goes to Amarus. The pain I felt for his sons was immeasurable. The obvious manipulation, right from the start? A truly hateable character - but it makes him a fantastic villain! 🥹

Last but not least, Ikaika! He's precious, I liked the parts we got to see of his journey, and I'm hopeful things will work out fine for him. 💕

TSH had me hooked right from the start because Jade keeps up the momentum, and I love that! I'm usually good without rereading, but in this case I think it would've helped me to reread at least the last few chapters before diving into this one, and I'll keep that in mind before reading book three (which I definitely will!). 👀

Jade's writing is gorgeous, the underlying feelings of the dialoues palpable. At some point while reading I actually took a step back to appreciate how thoroughly she must have planned all this. Plus, gotta love the LGBTQ+ rep! 🏳️‍🌈