I was a big, big fan of the Dark Swan series. I loved the idea of Eugenie getting lured away by Dorian, and Richelle Mead daring to take on the sensitive issue of rape in the previous book, Thorn Queen. 
 After reading this book, eugenie markham just shot straight to the top of my most disliked heroine characters list(from urban fantasies/romances). 
 eugenie Markham is one flawed lady. 
 Honestly, she's unbelievably selfish, shortsighted and delusional, not to mention a closet nymphomaniac. 
 I think Richelle Mead made a really bad decision keeping the love triangle alive and kicking, particularly since it makes little sense to break them up, bring them back, and repeat. 
 The novel's overall pace is very quick, it doesn't bog you down with things you do not want to read about. The writing style, as with all Richelle Mead's narratives, are simple and straight to the point. Sometimes it works when you have got strong, well written characters like Georgina Kincaid to move the storyline along, but I think this book failed in this aspect. 
 Yes, Eugenie is super tough, but she's so emotionally unstable its probably best if she's committed to an institution (okay this is probably taking it too far. but you catch my drift). 
 This installment took the storyline in a darn awkward direction. 
 The way Richelle Mead ended the book is not a cliffhanger. It is the general direction for the next 10 (?) books, or so. The only way I see this cliffhanger resolved is a storyline extending decades into the future. 
 Overall, a disappointing addition to Ms Richelle Mead's resume. But then since I didn't like the vampire academy series (except for the first book) either, I would say Ms Mead's works are probably not my cup of tea any more.