Two things really stood out to me in this second book in the "Shadow Grail" series--Spirit is an overwhelmingly negative person and the combined pop culture knowledge of Lackey and Edghill is staggering. The opening few chapters alone have half a dozen different Star Wars references never mind the movie, comic book and even some anime references spread throughout the rest of the book.

To center on Spirit's negativity for a moment; I fully understand and agree with a character who later on validates Spirit's grief and inability to move past that grief. Its been more or less implied by almost every character of importance to Spirit that she can't find closure for her grief so she is instead projecting her need to fill that hole in her life by being useful. The fact that she is right every single time is a bit more irritating.

We're not given a real understanding as to why her friends keep rocking back and forth on whether Spirit is crazy delusional or scarily accurate in her fears, its implied that the Oakhurst rings they have to wear have something to do with it, but that's about it. So its frustrating as a reader to hear Spirit try to discuss reasonable fears, with justified reasoning and proof to back it up in some cases, and to have her friends say 'Oh Spirit get over yourself and try not to make everything about you.'. Every. Single. Time. It becomes a predictable pattern as Spirit voices a concern, in increasing measures of urgency, her friends pooh-pooh it at first telling her to calm down, Spirit wonders if she's going insane, something occurs and ta-da! Her friends all come streaming back to apologize. This happens at least three times.

So maybe Spirit overall negative attitude is understandable, just doesn't make it easier to read. She expends more energy worried that her friends aren't more worried then she does proactively fighting what has her so afraid. When she finally realizes this its almost too late to actually do very much but contain the situation enough so no one else gets hurts.

Meanwhile the book itself jumps around a bit in terms of pacing. Without knowing the particulars of the plotting process I'm left to wonder if they meant for this book to be two separate editions or just didn't realize how much they were trying to pack into the page length. We find out more about the ones who may have been behind the Wild Hunt in the first book, Legacies, as well as the mirror side to that fight. A character, Elizabeth, is introduced mostly as a plot device to explain to Spirit (and her friends) that entire backstory.

Between Spirit worrying about her friend's non-worry, her grief, her schoolwork, several mandatory school functions and a budding romance we're introduced to a couple of plot details that I wish had more play time. The fact about the group's rings, the alumni and possibility that things conspired to bring the kids to Oakhurst and the arrival of Mark Rider and his troop of diabolical merry minions.

Character development wise a guess I had about two character's feelings in the first book are confirmed, though to the credit of Lackey and Edghill the reveal about the one is handle in a 'And so this is who this person is, doesn't change anything does it?' at least until the Sadie Hawkin's Dance. Spirit also bluntly points out to Muirin, Addie and Burke that they were sheep until her and Loch showed up, in regards to what was going on at the school.

While this one didn't bowl me over, it did keep my interest going as to the true nature of Oakhurst and answers to the mysteries therein. With the ending to this book being as explosive as the ending to the first, I certainly hope this means Book 3 will give us a showdown to remember. ( )

I'm a huge Mercedes Lackey fan, so when I discovered that there existed a series that I'd not even heard of...of course I had to try it out. I'm really glad I did.

The characters are very real, not perfect and very much teenagers. Even though it's been quite a while since I've been a teenager myself, I had no problem identifying with the characters.

The book is full of action and suspense, and it kept me reading until I finished it (later the same day. I just couldn't put it down.)

I'm looking forward to the next installment of this series. ( )

Spirit and her friends are dealing with the aftermath of their defeat of the Wild Hunt, as their oppresive school for magic users becomes even worse. They are unsure who to trust, as they learn more about what they may face.

Not Lackey and Edghill's best collaboration, and not my favorite school stories (a genre I quite like), but worth reading if you like YA fantasy. ( )

I was disappointed in this book--it seemed to be mostly exposition. Also, Spirit misses some major clues (e.g., that wearing the class rings affects people's susceptibility to the Oakhurst party line), a new character is introduced just to vanish almost immediately, and some of the characters' behavior seems out of character (e.g., Murr-cat). I'll probably keep reading the series, though. ( )

This book pick up from right where it left on bringing on more trouble in the school. I like how this time around we see Spirit grow up more. She is more kin to her surroundings and is much more careful but also sneaky. Her friends on the other hand, I felt like they betrayed her, especially Loche. He is so different in this book that it scared me. It was like he was a whole new person.

The storyline was somewhat boring. Some things happen but it pretty much was just filled in with drama from the friends, teachers, etc. It didn't get exciting till the part of the new student Elizabeth who brings a whole new element to the book. And I must say, it was a nice surprise. I really like how they incorporated an old tale in the future of these students. It really brought the story of Spirit and her friends to a whole new level.

The love interest in this book was good. I like it when characters take their time getting to know one another, It makes it much more intimate to read. I love seeing Spirit happy and worry free of what was going on in the school. I also like to see Spirit just happy for once. She deserves it.

Conspiracies laid down the foundation for a whole new side of the book but brings so much more to the table. The book is filled with more secrets, betrayals, and great twist I even enjoyed! I am looking forward to see what happen to Spirit and her friend in the next book! ( )