** spoiler alert ** 
 I don't know exactly how I feel about this book. 
 I haven't read Firelight in a while and yet it came back to me as I read. Jordan doesn't make it easy, which I like. I've noticed with most young adult novels that several chapters are always dedicated to reestablishing what happened in earlier books. Frankly, I find this annoying. I read the book, I don't need someone telling me what happened. Jordan merely starts right from the beginning and makes no bones about what happened before. She throws in a few things from the past here and there, but it's subtle - I appreciated that. 
 However, the story line itself in this one has me thrown. For a while, I wasn't exactly sure where she was going - was this going to be merely a book about the pride? About Tamra? Given the cover, I figured it was going to focus more on her sister rather than Jacinda herself. 
 Tamra was an interesting character for me. I grew frustrated with her a lot, but then she would continue to redeem herself in my eyes. While she throws hissy fits and plays the 'woe is me' card often, at the core she truly cares for her twin. There is a bond there which goes beyond the draki element. I think it'll prove beneficial in the coming book. 
 Cassian. I did NOT expect to care for his character so much. I hate to admit it, but there were times when I wanted Jacinda to pick him (and I say this as a Will fan!) or at least make it easier on the poor guy. It's clear he loves her. Even though she spews the same thing over and over about him only wanting her for her talent, I think in her heart she knows this - and there is a part that cares for him too or else they wouldn't have bonded so strongly. In the end, I think he'll be the one hurt. And that sucks. 
 Then there is Will. I'm probably in the minority, but I like that we got to see his flaws in this book. Usually it takes YA three or four before it becomes evident that the love interest makes mistakes. He's only seventeen! He's going to be an idiot. One of the fundamental themes of the book is about going against one's family and he's made it clear he'll do that for Jacinda - he loves her. He'll do anything for her. And I ultimately think he'll fight for her. The biggest fight will eventually be against Cassian though. 
 Finally there is Jacinda herself. I gave her more leeway in Firelight, but I straight up wanted to hit her in this one. While she did things to appease others I think she acted more selfish than anything. She wanted her cake and to eat it too. Unlike Will who willingly sacrificed his beliefs and was ready to give up on his family, she wanted it all. Can I understand that? Yes, but then she should have let Will go. This back and forth thing drove me nuts. Her actions will end with those boys hurt. 
 I like the action of the novels and the next one will be a doozy. After they free Miram (and possibly Jacinda's father) there will be hell to pay with the pride. Despite everything Jacinda has done, they don't want to let her go - they want more fire-breathers. 
 Sigh. Now I have to wait for the next book! It can't come soon enough.