I had heard rumors that this sequel was even better than the first, and the people do not lie.

Not only is this sequel stronger than the first book (which is so so rare) but it genuinely makes the first book better. What an amazing build off of its predecessor!

I mean, clearly the solution to improving a book is just adding a sentient forest that moves at will.

The characterization and chemistry was the only thing I felt somewhat lacking in the first book, but holy wow was it strong as hell in this one. This book, unlike the first, was multi-POV, and the characters we got to see be fleshed out in this book where just so unbelievably well characterized. Their development and histories and motivations were woven with such tact into the macro and micro of the narrative. And the romance in this one had me clutching my chest.

I think the thing about this book that improved the first, in particular, is the unraveling of the world-building and lore. There are so many truths and ideas set up in the first book that felt interesting but somewhat flat in the first that turned out to have great payoffs or subversions in this book, and those new shifts really helped move the story and the world and the stakes forward in really smart ways.

I was worried this finale would be hard to pull off but it was properly exciting and high energy and nail-biting, and the resolution was quite satisfying (I was very curious how Gillig would handle a sort of magical cure plotline, but I really felt this was tastefully done.)

CW: violence, illness, blood & gore, injury detail, dead bodies, death of father, poison, murder, death of sibling, sexual content, alcohol, child death (past), grief, mind control, domestic abuse, self harm (for magic)