HOLY JESUS ON TOAST!!! This was a magnificent sequel, and I am desperate for the next one!

Kestrel has made her bed of lies, and now she has to lie in it. She is engaged to the Prince, and one day, she will rule all of Valoria. But she must lie and break her own heart to do so, betraying her feelings and sacrificing herself for Arin's safety. Arin is trying to find new ways for his newly renewed country not to starve, all the while letting Kestrel's betrayal burn and sink in.

But Kestrel may have a found a way to help Arin, if only for a while. She can be a spy, and help Arin save his country from the evil Emperor. But it all becomes too complicated when trust is so easily broken. And both Kestrel and Arin will fight for their honor and their lives, and even, for each other.

THE PLOT
I LOVED THIS BOOK! I really enjoyed The Winner's Curse, but it took me a while to get into it; it was really slow for me. But this one...I was hooked from the first page. It felt more polished and better written and just all-around better. The plot was never once lagging or over-done or boring. It was compelling every single page. I couldn't wait to find out what twist was going to happen next. It was long, but each scene felt necessary and there wasn't one that I think should have been cut. Thet all had a perfect place in the narrative.

THE CHARACTERS
I fell even more in love with Arin, if that was even possible. He's a stubborn fellow, but he is passionate about his people and willing to do whatever it takes to help them. And Kestrel really grew in this novel. She was strong and willing to sacrifice her life for her love and to help another country that she really had no obligation to.

THE RELATIONSHIPS
My shipper heart was torn into pieces about a billion times throughout this book. Arin and Kestrel were so back and forth, it was painful to watch. But painful in a good way. It was delicious tension that left me desperate for more. So many times I wanted to scream at them, and I threatened to throw the damn book out the window because it was so aggrivating (again, in a good way). They just needed to talk out their issues, and for once, not lie to each other. But I enjoyed every second of the mess that was them.

THE WRITING
It was flawless. Better than the first one. The chapters had such fluidity and grace--especially Arin's. His chapters were incredible, right from the start. I was blown away.

Seriously, you guys need to read this series if you haven't yet! It's incredible.