4.5 I still very much enjoyed this book but it was a struggle to get through some parts. I truly believe though that was because it was a sequel. 
 The development of the characters was great. I loved learning more about Mather and the Children of The Thaw. I thought the multi perspective was well done and only added to the story for me. 
 While the plot was lack luster I enjoyed the expansion of the world and the meeting of new characters. The summer princess is amazing and I want to be her. Though this was difficult when the ultimate antagonist appeared at the end...it felt deus ex machina but opposite. Like "we haven't had an antagonist this whole time so let's throw one in 80 pages from the end". Also I totally called the twist. Though I had forgotten about the librarian by the end so points for surprising me. 
 I am excited to see where this goes. Because this war got very hopeless, very quick and I want to see how they are going to come back and win this thing. Though, not gonna lie, Meira going to the mountain town at the end makes me think this is rather "I have these powers and now have to control them So let me hide away from everyone in a temple mountain place so I can go through the grueling struggle of managing my powers the. Come back and kick ass" which isn't bad...but I just get the sense it is going in the direction.