Layne, too, didn't have it easy growing up. Although there is less emphasis on her story. I got the feeling that Gabriel was the focus, instead of Layne. Not that I hated getting to know Gabriel, on the contrary! It's just that I'd love to have known Layne a bit better. At the moment her character felt a bit "flat", a bit dull. Just like how I felt about Chris in book one. There the focus was more on Becca instead of Chris, so I got to know her better instead of him. While both Becca and Gabriel where great to read about, I still wish I could have learn more about their counterparts. 
 I also got the feeling that this book was more a psychological journey than an action packed book. It's an expedition to come to terms with the past. It still has its more "active moments," but this story is mainly about the developments, the growth that both Gabriel and Layne go through. All in all quite interesting to read about, but I kinda missed my breathless reactions at times. Or my breath that got caught in my throat. I kinda wished I felt those a bit more. And a bit more use of elemental powers. You've got them, so why don't you use them?