I'm sorry but I don't understand the hype with this series. I wasn't a fan of the first book, it was okay but definitely not on my favourites list. However I thought I'd try the second book, a lot of people love the series so I wanted to give it a fair go. 
 I tried, I tried so hard. I could not get into it. 
 The plot felt really slow and I felt like it dragged on forever. Sometimes detail is necessary and enhances the book but in this case, I don't think it worked. Now don't get me wrong, there were parts of the book that I enjoyed, thus the 3 stars (view spoiler)[EVERYTHING GANSEY AND BLUE OMG (hide spoiler)] But overall, I wasn't a fan of what was actually happening. 
 It might be because I wasn't enjoying the book that I was getting confused, but I found that information was coming from all different angles and I was having a hard time processing it all. 
 However I did like the character development. Adam was a prominent figure in this book and although I personally don't like his characteristics, I appreciate the way he changed and we saw the two sides to him and his internal battle. Gansey, Gansey, Gansey I am a huge shipper of Blue and Gansey, not only because I'm not a fan of Adam, but because I genuinely like Gansey as a character. 
 Ronan was a surprise, I loved the way we saw all these different aspects of his character and delved into the twisted depths of his past. My opinions on him really changed in a positive way and I think, if i was to continue reading the series, this book would be necessary in understanding Ronan and his motives. 
 Truth be told, I didn't enjoy this book as a whole. I tried really hard but I found myself on Sunday night complaining to my mother that I have to get this book finished and I only have 40 pages left but, I just, I'm struggling. I think the writing was interesting but the plot lacked, and the characters were good, but probably not good enough for me to keep reading.