2.5/5 stars 
 I liked the first book a lot better. The actions of this book make enough sense, but Mare... doesn't. I just really didn't like her. I just don't really get some of her decisions. Not the big stuff, her big plans and all were good, but how Mare interacted with everybody just didn't make sense. Why is everyone so afraid of her? 
 Plot wise, the overarching storyline was interesting but the day to day stuff that is usually what I enjoy most- they're on the run! In hiding! Training!- falls flat. The flowery writing continues to not be my favorite, but that carried over from the first book and wasn't that big of an issue. Most of the newbloods just didn't get enough story time, which stinks, because they seemed so interesting. There was so much development there! And then, because Mare isolated herself, not many of the characters in general really shine. 
 The book is really plot driven, to the extent that new characters just feel excessive and all interaction feels forced. And that's fine, but so many of the characters could be so much more. Character deaths, even of those that I really loved, are not moving. 
 I was disappointed. I'll still read the next one, but I hope it's better.