I really enjoyed the first Grisha book, so I was excited to get stuck into this one.
Alina and Mal are on the run from the Darkling and the awful incident that happened inside the Shadow Fold. They've made their way over the True Sea and have settled in a small village, where they work and live in a cramped room. But they don't mind the work or the accommodation, they're just happy to finally be together. It's all Alina ever wished for: to be with Mal.
But when rumours surface about the Darkling's survival, Alina knows he'll come searching for her. She's suspicious of everyone, and is constantly glancing over her shoulder. Her paranoia isn't misplaced, because the Darkling and his Grisha eventually track them down.
Before she realises what's going on, she's on a boat and heading back to Ravka. She's now a prisoner and the Darkling has a new plan for her. But while onboard, Alina and Mal encounter a mysterious trio who start out as foe and soon reveal themselves to be friends.
What follows is an unexpected return to the palace, a mischevious prince trying to take back what his family has lost, and the desperate people who are willing to place all hope in the Sun Summoner. But it's getting harder and harder for Alina to know who she can trust, who has their own agenda, and who might still be on the Darkling's side.
Wow. This book jumps right into the action and trouble! I loved how we're first introduced to Alina and Mal's very quiet new life, but it's ripped away too quickly. It's nonstop action from the beginning and throws the reader into the mystery of another mythical creature, as well as introducing a new player in this very dangerous game. A guy who masquerades as a privateer but turns out to be so much more.
The action in this story is an edge-of-your-seat experience. The suspense and danger levels are huge, and when you reach the downward spiral of the story, everything gets really brutal! The only problem I had with the second installment of this trilogy is the middle. There was just too much politics and strategic planning for my liking, which I think made the book sag a bit. But not enough to stop me reading.
Bring on the last book! I can't wait to see how it all ends.