*Kindly provided by Netgalley for a honest review* 
 5 teary stars 
 We left Kestrel and Arin in book one with the knowledge of a treaty, a wedding and the assumption that Herran will be left alone...now in book 2 we will see how Kestrel deals with manipulation in court and a broken heart. Arin, passionate and impulsive, try to make sense of his feelings and trying his best for his country. Both of them are divided. And I believe, more than ever. 
 I would love to share so many qoutes that touched me, but I will as soon as the book is out. I don't want to give much away. 
 I'll share this... 
 "Loyalty is the best love." 
 I was close to the end of this book when I read that and I thought it was interesting to see it, fitting. I kept thinking while reading that this series is more than anything, about love. All kinds of love. Love for someone, something, for dominion, for freedom, for power, for your father, your lover....and so on. I immensely enjoyed book 1, Winner's Curse. And this one too. But it was so heartbreaking! Infuriating. Frustrating. And immensely sad. I ended up, hopeless. 
 Marie Rutkoski, I hope you give my brave girl and my annoying, but good boy, a happy ending. Please? After surviving this book and imagining what I fear is to come, I think they deserve it. I so hope they get it! 
 Amazing read, I'm dying for the final book in this great series!