A dandy middle book, one with action, intrigue and many spots where you must ponder who is good, who isn't and which faction(s) should you be rooting for. I'll order the third book the moment it's released. ( )

Another absorbing installment of the Aurelian Cycle by Rosaria Munda. I really enjoy the exploration of power, inequality, freedom of press, manipulation, propaganda, armed forces acting against civilians, and revolutionary ideals. The relationship between the main characters, Annie and Lee, can flash hot and cold with too much regularity. You begin to anticipate that any positive encounter will immediately be followed by a parting of ways. Munda did a much better job of incorporating dragons into this book. You got to know Aela and Pallor's personalities and to feel their connections to their riders. I do find the dynamic between the adults and teenagers odd. Why is it that there is an adult general, but a teenager acting as commander of the dragon fleet? Also, the adults seem completely clueless at times (like their inability to ascertain the identity of Southside's daughter). I greatly appreciated the introduction of an LGBTQ storyline. I appreciate that grief is recurring; characters don't get over trauma right away. I also like that the characters and the overall political situation isn't clearcut. Everyone thinks they are acting in the right if looked at from their frame of reference. I'm looking forward to the next book. I would recommend this to any teenager interested in revolutions or dragons. ( )