more like 3.5 stars 
 I didn't like it as much as I liked the first one. I thought it was quite slow and nothing really happened until the end. 
 But I still enjoyed this world. I really like the new characters. I thought Alina was even better and stronger in this book. I wanted to read more about the Darkling, I didn't get to see as much as I wanted to. 
 The only thing I really didn't like in this was the romance. I really don't like Mal. He is dramatic, he complains way too much, and he is a bit controlling..Overall, I don't think he is a great love interest. I personally think that Alina deserves way better. But oh well, we'll see how it ends.