I reread this in anticipation for the release of the final book in the trilogy later this month, I will not be rereading the second one though because I am not a glutton for punishment, and a 2nd shattering of my heart by the same book is not happening. 
 I adored this book just as much the second time around. 
 Rutkoski writes so beautifully, she creates stunning images and she has this amazing ability to hint at what the characters are feeling or deducing or meaning that if you are not paying attention you will miss it, but if you are - which I really recommend - and you look deeper beyond the surface of the words, it will blow you away. 
 "Arin wondered if she would lift her eyes, but wasn't worried he would be seen in the garden's shadows. 
 He knew the law of such things: people in brightly lit places cannot see into the dark." 
 The world created is vived and fascinating, with the Herran culture not quite as squashed as it would seem. It's a world of war with high society seeming to cover it. 
 "Isn't that what stories do, make real things fake, and fake things real?" 
 The characters are golden. Kestrel is the only daughter of the fearsome general who had a major hand in conquering Herran. Great and terrible things are expected of her. But Kestrel has a secret. She has the heart of a musician, not a soldier. But she is fiercely intelligent, cunning and much more than she is forced to appear as. Her love for her family and friends is palpable, she is such a force to be reckoned with. 
 "Kestrel." The general touched her shoulder. When he spoke, his voice was uncharacteristically hesitant."It's every child's duty to survive her parents. My profession isn't a safe one. I would like- Kestrel, when I die, do not mourn me." 
 She smiled. "You do not command me," she said, and kissed his cheek 
 I have so much love for this book and these characters, Kestrel and Arin's story is not one without pain but it is so very beautiful. Definitely one of my favourite YA series.