This series feels like a personal curse on me at this point. I am so annoyed after this book that I don't think I could stomach going back to re-read the series and try to figure out what I've missed/don't understand, but I also want to keep reading the series, which will guarantee that I'm more and more confused! This book felt like Plot Hole Central. Violet was so insufferably dumb, and the reveal of her second signet was such a disappointment. I don't remember any of these characters and I can't keep their dragons/gryphons or signets straights. The relationship between Violet and Xaden was absolutely intolerable. And honestly, what the heck is a venin and why is Xaden able to "control" it when other people apparently can't? The only interesting thing was the truth about Andarna and her family, but that hardly makes up for *gestures wildly* everything else.