Synopsis 
 When Ileni's powers began to fade, she was sent to the assassin's cave to investigate the murder of the Renegai tutor before her. She didn't expect to survive the mission, but the caves didn't end up being her tomb. They only showed her that she was meant to be a weapon. With her beliefs shaken, Ileni struggles in the heart of the Empire--the sorcerer's academy--to discover the truth and regain that unshakeable belief that her time in the caves destroyed. But what she finds will only bring more questions and threaten the budding relationship she has with the assassin Sorin. 
 Thoughts 
 I found this book a little slower than it's predecessor. I still really enjoyed it, but for very different reasons than book one. While the struggle between the Empire and the assassins is still going on, this book delves into Ileni's internal struggles and makes that the focus. Ileni is still reeling from having holes blasted into what she believed and it's left her rather indecisive. The more she sees of the world doesn't help. Because of that we lose a little bit of the wit and bravado she had in book one. There's just something about Ileni's struggle with coming to terms with having her childhood beliefs tested that is wholly relatable. Who doesn't go through that at some point? It's painful and you'll never be quite the same, but you can either remain stagnant or grow. 
 I also really enjoyed how this book took the completely opposite path one expects with common fantasy tropes, which is something I'm sure a lot of readers won't like. If an introspective, non-cliche finish with a main character who can be arrogant, indecisive, and just overall flawed sounds intriguing, definitely give this a shot. If you're looking for a nice neat HEA, seek elsewhere and imagine for yourself the path that Ileni takes after book one. 
 Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for the ARC. 
 Publication Date: March 3, 2015.