** spoiler alert ** 
 Okay, there were many things I liked about this book, but as a whole, I think I preferred the second book in the series to this one. 
 In ACOMAf, we get introduced to this whole new cast of characters and their histories and motivations are slowly and realistically unveiled to us. Unfortunately, that means there is little left to learn about them in this installation, so I felt that the characters did not develop quite as much in this book. And for it to be 700 pages long, there has to be some solid character development. We do get more of Nesta and Elaine, but the two sisters feel more like caricatures than genuine people as opposed to the first book where their conflicts and love felt fairly realistic. 
 Additionally, the stakes feel like they have decreased in this one. I was rarely afraid that harm was truly going to come to any of the characters I loved. I was truly shocked when Amren appeared to betray them in the climax, but it didn't end up being a betrayal that disrupted her integrity as a character-- she didn't turn into a "bad guy." I was pretty upset when Rhys died, but it did not take long for him to be brought back. The mourning was short lived. And when he returned, he brought Amren, so even that sacrifice did not feel permanent. 
 The last 100 pages went quickly and were a well-written battle scene, but the fact that none of our main characters had truly character-changing experiences or came to permanent harm lessens their power. And I would not say that a strong 100 pages at the end justifies 600 pages of repetitive build up. 
 The sex scenes are still pretty steamy though.