I loved this one more than the first book. The narrative flowed a lot more naturally without the first book's burden to provide world-building exposition. The plot was really fast paced, but the characters were all still wonderful and brilliantly developed. 
 My only question mark was around why Karou thought she was personally responsible for (view spoiler)[the massacre at Loramendi and Brimstone's death. (hide spoiler)] I understand that it creates tension but I didn't fully understand what she was blaming herself for. I've read the reasons explained by other reviewers but it felt juvenile compared to the tone of the rest of the book. I would have understood it better if she was just grieving, or if getting her memories back in the first book had changed her perspective. The self-flagellation just seemed a bit melodramatic in the circumstances, given she was otherwise a very strong, competent and rational character. 
 Things I loved about this one: the ending (perfect), a seemingly realistic depiction of PTSD/war weariness, the new dynamic between Akiva and Karou, Zuze and Mik (the true OTP of this series), Zuze being the best friend ever, and a perfect balance of concluding the book well and leaving some doors open to explore in the next book.