3.5 
 I actually liked this book more than I thought I would. I don't remember much of the first book, and perhaps I should have refreshed my memory first, but I didn't have such a great wish to. I do remember being very disappointed in it, mainly because of the (what I saw as) cheesy and cringey romances - and instalove - that happened with not one but two pairs of characters, as well as Karou's irritating insta-language capabilities. However, the language thing I had mainly forgotten in this book, thank god, and the romance was not as bad. 
 Saying that, I still was not completely convinced about the romance. I was glad that Mik and Zuzana had some real substance; Mik being angry at Karou and protective and caring of Zuzana when they came to the 'sandcastle'. I was also glad that Akiva and Karou were not together. I really dislike Akiva, especially with his repeat of creepy watching-Karou-sleep. Okay, Edward! It's even worse than the last time, because this time she knows what he did to her family and she has told him, on no uncertain terms, to stay away! Also, the whole book would have been better if Karou's constant thinking of Akiva, and Akiva's constant whining about Karou had just been left out. Because it sucked, and Akiva is a dick, and I couldn't feel sorry for him. I am so mad that it looks like they are going to get back together! No! Ziri is like, a billion times better. I feel like I just completely dislike the romance and how it is written in this series. 
 The characters, also. Reading Zuzana's emails in the beginning was awful; I thought that her voice was so unrealistic for a person who is almost - if not already - an adult! Even when Karou met her in person, some of the things she said ... I was just wondering, what the hell!? Do people actually talk and act like this? Would you really go to eat in a room full of literal monsters who your friend basically warned might kill you? Probably not, unless you're fucking stupid. 
 As well as Zuzana, the angels. They themselves are so annoying. Hazazel, or whatever, was okay (view spoiler)[but then he - one of the only good angels that were prominent characters - fucking died! (hide spoiler)]. To be honest, back when I thought I was asexual I only started to read this series because I heard that Liraz was an asexual character, but it doesn't really work for me because she is not just asexual, she is pretty much just cold all round. I don't mind so much anymore, and I don't really mind Liraz (though I don't particularly like her), but it is still annoying nonetheless. 
 Akiva is the worst and I hate him, and not in the 'I hate him, but he's interesting and well written that way on purpose' way, like for example Heathcliff (I'm reading Wuthering Heights at the moment). I really do hate him in a way the author did not intend, and I am not quite sure why, but I do. Maybe because he is so whiny! All the time! 
 The angels, Jael and his brother, as well as the Chimaera White Wolf Thiago and Ten; they were all too obvious as villains. It is so obvious from the beginning that Thiago is still just a massive asshole, and it's also the same for Jael. Like, blah, why can't things be a bit less black and white? Sure, there's Akiva ... His snivelling and sad reason for having killed Karou's entire family is well ... his grief. Boo hoo. 
 I can't complain much more. My main issue is the romance and characters - mainly Akiva - it seems. There are smaller things that annoy me, such as the random characters that did not seem to serve much purpose - the guard, what was up with his chapters? - or who did serve a purpose but that we never found out what happened to them! Like, what happened to Seiva, or whatever her name was, the fleeing villager, and the people she was with? Did I miss something? 
 I was disappointed that there was much less art description, but I realise that this is not an art focussed book so, whatever. 
 However, I did like Karou. I also liked the Shadows That Live a lot. I really liked the description of the setting. That 'sandcastle' sounds brilliant, although also ultra bad obviously. I'd have loved even more description of scenery, the resurrections etc. but that's just me. Perhaps one day I will read the last book in the trilogy.