3.5*
I really enjoyed Sanctuary when I read it last year. And as it ended on quite the cliffhanger, I was eager to jump into this one! I have to say, props to the author for dropping in bits from Book One where it was necessary. She did it in a way that didn't take me out of the current book, but also refreshed my feeble memory. Thanks!
What I Liked:
- •Same action-packed fun as before! Yeah this series does not let up on the adventure. And most of the time that's a good thing! You won't get bored, that is for sure.
- •Love the characters, just as in the last book. Kenzie is just really relatable. She's dealing with so much, and all her doubts and insecurities feel really authentic, but then when she is strong and fierce, that too feels authentic. And the secondary cast? They're beyond awesome, so fleshed out that they really enhance the book.
- •Gray morality ftw! I just love this sort of book for that very reason. I am not getting into detail about any of them because spoilers, but there are so many decisions that are just flat out hard. Because sometimes there just is no right answer, you know?
- •Portrayl of mental health outside contemporary (and it's handled quite well!) Kenzie has some legitimate PTSD from everything that went down on Sanctuary. She watched so many loved ones die, had to kill people herself, that honestly it wasn't a shock that the girl was suffering.
What I Didn't:
- •Lie of omission trope, which lead to a fight, which is not my fave. Especially since I didn't even really think the omitters were wrong in this case, and that the mad folks were being a little over the top? Especially in situations like those presented in this series, when every choice you make means life or death. Cut your buddies some slack, yeah? Anyway, I just didn't love the addition of this storyline, I guess.
- •I struggled a little in the middle. Ugh guys I know this is unfair, but I just didn't have a lot of motivation for a little while? This might be more a case of a Me Problem™ than a book problem. I think at times, too much going on makes me bleary eyed. Idk, I don't totally blame the book though.
Bottom Line: A really solid sequel in an overall awesome (so far!) series- can't wait to find out what's next for Kenzie & Company!