I wanted to give this a 5 star rating, but I just couldn't...because of the ending. I loved this book a great deal. The story picks up right where we left off in Rift; Ember is on the run with Barrow, and Eira is taking control with Bosque at her side. The entire world that Ms. Cremer has created in this series is fantastic and I would read it over and over again. It is very well crafted and inventive, and just when you think you figure things out, there's a twist that takes you by surprise. (view spoiler)[I loved the way Ms. Cremer established how the werewolves can to be. It was genius! (hide spoiler)] 
 I also loved the relationship between Ember and Barrow. It was beautiful and so romantic. I enjoyed reading the scenes where they were together, just the two of them. Ember and Barrow balance each other out, and are perfect together. I was always rooting for Barrow, even in Rift, and I am happy with how their relationship worked out in the end. However, I still strongly dislike Alister, which is how it's suppose to be (at least that's what I assume Ms. Cremer was going for). 
 But, like I said in the beginning, I just couldn't get over the ending. There was just no feeling of a conclusion. I knew originally this was only supposed to be a duology, but I need and want another book. Granted, I know that (view spoiler)[Bosque Marr doesn't get defeated until the last book in the Nightshade series (hide spoiler)], but there could easily be another book. Even though you find out how the two groups came to be in the Nightshade series, I still would like to see the original formation of them. Also, I want to know what happened to some of the characters. Did Ember and Barrow get married? What about Agnes? There's a whole slew of characters that I want more information on. A couple more chapters, or even a epilogue could have done wonders, and I probably would have given the book 5 stars. But, simply because of the ending, I had to go down a star. 
 This was still a fabulous book, and I highly recommend it. If you loved the Nightshade series, and loved Rift, then you will enjoy this book, but don't expect an ending. It's left open, which in a way is a good thing. Nevertheless, pick this book up if you want a good read that will take you on a fun adventure.