There are serious problems with this book. Let's set aside the fact that I couldn't care about the protaganist, nor half the supporting characters, the plot was a meandering mess, and the characters brought back from the first series seemed to be there as a fan-pleasing gimmick rather than because they were relevant to the story (Valek, in particular, seemed to be completely out of character - even the fact he was there at all seemed out of character!). The really big, cannot be ignored warning light flashing out after I'd finished this story was Devlin. 
 Yes, the same Devlin who captured and tortured Opal in the Study series. Who deceived, tortured (physically and emotionally), betrayed and (depending on your definition) raped Opal in the earlier books of this series. The same Devlin who is... now being presented as a reasonable romantic option for Opal. 
 What? 
 It's not just unlikeable, unbelievable, unenjoyable... it's actually quite stomach turning. Seriously, this book wants us to believe that a young woman could settle down to a happily ever after with the guy who did all of the above? (view spoiler)[ Yes, yes it does. Because she does. She marries her kidnapper/torturer/abuser and adopts two kids with him. (hide spoiler)] Because he's conveniently been able to excuse it all as being under the influence of evil magic? Um, no. Nope. I'm outta here.