Hell of a Witch

Tear Down Heaven #2

by Rachel Aaron

The hotly anticipated sequel to HELL FOR HIRE!

One month ago, Bex, the demon Queen of Wrath, and Adrian, witch of the Blackwood, pulled off the upset victory of the century. Now, they find themselves facing the question all unexpected champions must what next? They’ve declared war on Heaven, but how do you actually bring down a divinely powerful tyrant when your army’s still in the single digits and your magical fortress is an illegally modified Winnebago?

It seems like a hopeless situation. As always, though, Adrian Blackwood has a plan, and this time, he’s going big. He’s got an idea to take down the Seattle Anchor, the giant magical fortress that houses the Anchor Market and every other bit of critical infrastructure that connects Heaven to Earth.

How the Anchors work is a closely guarded secret, and getting to the good stuff will require going deep into the heart of Gilgamesh’s power. There’s a reason even the Queen of Wrath has never attacked one directly, but now that Adrian’s on her team, Bex thinks they can do it. She’s finally got the power she needs to actually move the needle on this war, and she’s going to hit that Anchor with all the fire she’s got.

But the enemies of Heaven aren’t the only ones making plans. After the fiery return of his most persistent annoyance, Gilgamesh has ordered his princes to take care of the demon queen problem personally. It’s time to roll out the big guns and show these rebels what divine wrath really means, starting with the Hell of a Witch who made it all possible.

Book 2 a new, action-packed Urban Fantasy series from the author of NICE DRAGONS FINISH LAST and MINIMUM-WAGE MAGIC!

Genres: Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Romance, Paranormal, Audiobook, Demons, Magic

355 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 1, 2024

About the author

Hello, my name is Rachel Aaron, and I write the Heartstriker books, a new Urban Fantasy series about misfit dragons, starting with Nice Dragons Finish Last. I also wrote The Legend of Eli Monpress fantasy series for Orbit Books about a wizard thief and the poor bastards who have to try and stop him. PLUS I'm also the author of the new, rolicking fun Science Fiction romance Fortune's Pawn under the name Rachel Bach.

I was born in Atlanta, but I currently live a lovely, nerdy, bookish life in Denver, CO with my lightspeed son, perpetually understanding husband, and far too many plants. Besides my own books, the internet knows me best for writing very fast. The best way to get to know me is probably to read my blog or follow me on Twitter.

Reviews

[✘✘ Sarah ✘✘ (former Nefarious Breeder of Murderous Crustaceans) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This could and should have been just as good as the first installment in the series. BUT.

① The fight scenes are boring as fish and wayyyyyy too long 💤💤💤.

② The romantic crap stuff is 🙄🙄🙄. Cliched, fabricated drama complete with miscommunication BS and a main character who acts like she's a 15-year-old nitwit. Yay.

This series had lots of potential. Until it no longer did.

The end.

· Book 1: Hell for Hire ★★★★

[Esmay Rosalyne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review was originally published on Before We Go Blog

Rachel Aaron is absolutely on fire in Hell of a Witch, the dark yet diabolically fun second instalment in the demon-infested and wonderfully witchy Tear Down Heaven series. It’s got more action, more intrigue, more (combat gardening) magic, more tension, more emotional gut punches, more banter, and more deliciously slow-burn romance; this is how you write one hell of a sequel.

Now, with Hell For Hire instantly becoming one of my top favourite reads of the year, Hell of a Witch had big shoes to fill. But even going in with almost unfairly high expectations, I was totally not ready for what Rachel Aaron had in store in this sequel. Even though the story picks up about a month after the bombastic ending of Hell For Hire, it took me only about one page to be completely sucked back into the chaotic lives of my favourite wayward gardening witch and the endearing crew of loveable demons; the bonds of this unlikely found family are tested beyond belief as tensions rise to ungodly levels and they are faced with demons both within and without, but Gilgamesh will soon learn he messed with the wrong crew, and his Heaven is no longer safe from their burning wrath.

Look, as impressed as I am with the layered world building, intricate plotting, and rich lore that Aaron delivers in this refreshing urban fantasy series, I can’t sit here and pretend that I am here for anything else than Bex and Adrian. While they were already absolute powerhouses in book 1, it was truly magnificent to see them embracing their full powers now that Adrian’s Blackwood forest is starting to thrive and Bex’s powers as the demon Queen of Wrath are fully restored; they are honestly a match made in heaven, and it doesn’t take long for them to realise that their mutually beneficial alliance might potentially be something more if they could just let themselves allow it.

Honestly, friends, if there was one thing I wanted more of in Hell For Hire, it was the unlikely yet heartwarming relationship between these two gems, and Aaron more than delivered in Hell of a Witch. The plot starts out a bit quieter before devolving into an intensely hectic heisty situation, and I loved how that allowed for an almost cozy time where we just get to see them recuperate, bond, and grow closer together. Don’t get me wrong, the romance never starts to overtake the core plot, but holy smokes… did I eat up the scorching hot romantic/sexual tension, the heartwrenching ‘will-they-won’t-they’, the adorably innocent butterfly feelings, the sharp banter, and the delicious pining between them; Lys the lust demon should be proud of them, Bexdrian for life!

As the plot got increasingly intense, I almost started to get overwhelmed a few times because I personally struggled to visualise some of the more ethereal and action-packed scenes (especially relating to the Anthors), but Bex and Adrian’s strong bond and their intimate narration ultimately kept me grounded throughout the craziness. Aaron just does such a masterful job of balancing and interweaving the big external conflicts with the vulnerable inner conflicts, which is exactly why I feel so deeply emotionally invested in the lives of these characters (almost to the point that it’s almost dangerous for my own sanity, help.)

And it’s not just Bex and Adrian who absolutely steal the show in Hell of a Witch, but the supporting cast of characters also really get their time to shine; Lys the suave and cunning lust demon (my fave, I am trash for them), Iggs the gentle giant of a wrath demon, Nemini the apathetic void demon, Boston the sassy cat, and even Drox the snarky sword all have their own important role to play in this quickly escalating rollercoaster of a conflict, and their personal (and shared) backstories only become more intriguing. They can bicker, tease, and fight like siblings, but their love for each other just bleeds through the pages and they prove time and time again that they will stop at nothing to protect those they hold dear, even if they have to put their own lives on the line (hello emotional destruction!).

Moreover, we also get some refreshingly intriguing perspectives from the antagonists’ point of view, which not only boosts the tension but also adds so much nuance and intrigue to the entire conflict. Seriously, how Aaron managed to deliver such high quality development of the characters and their interpersonal relationships, while also expanding the world and lore in both breadth and depth, all while keeping the stakes high as the plot barrels along at breakneck speed is truly beyond me; I bet she has been using some of the Blackwood forest's power while writing this book, otherwise I cannot explain how Hell of a Witch is even better than its stupendously strong predecessor.

Before reading Hell for Hire, I would never have guessed that I could love an urban fantasy series this much, but Hell of a Witch just single-handedly shot the Tear Down Heaven series straight into the top ranks of my all-time favourites. Whether these characters know it or not, I consider myself part of their wonderfully weird found family now, and I am so (nervously) excited to see how their adventure continues. If you like the sound of a fast-paced yet intimately character-driven urban fantasy series that is full of heart and strikes the perfect balance between the action and emotion, then I can’t recommend the Tear Down Heaven series highly enough.

Thank you to the author for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Montzalee Wittmann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hell of a Witch
by Rachel Aaron
A good book to bridge book #1 & #3. I am enjoying the series.

[Chloe Frizzle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty annoying romance in this one. I'm usually pretty happy to read a drama filled romance, but this book took the miscommunication and stubbornness of the characters too far.

This book also suffered from middle-book-syndrome. Not much really happened, could have skipped it.

[Lorelei · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Tear Down Heaven series follows Bex and her demon mercenary crew. In this urban fantasy world, free demons are few and far between; the rest have been enslaved by the Eternal King Gilgamesh and his pet warlocks. In the first book, Hell for Hire, they take on a job with a new client, Adrian Blackwood. He’s a witch who’s also in Gilgamesh’s crosshairs, and he’s hired Bex and her crew to watch his back now that he’s in Seattle.

Ooohhh I love this series, and I’m really excited for the third book, slated to come out later this month. It’s got slow burn romance, but doesn’t feel like immature teenagers acting jealous and growling “mine” all the time, which… is a thing. Look, I know it’s common in romantasy these days, and people eat it up, but it’s just gotten to be too much for me. THIS is my kinda romance, not insta-love.

World building - really hooked me. It’s set in Seattle, in an alternate fantasy version of our world where Gilgamesh looked at God and Heaven and thought ‘eh… I can do better’ and tore it all down and took power. The story does a great job of spacing out the info dumping and introducing us to the history of this world in an organic way.

Pacing – brisk, action well balanced with downtime and character moments, keeps you turning the pages and devouring it.

Characters – Really unique and distinctive characters. It’s a fairly small crew at the moment so we get enough time to differentiate all of them pretty well. Bex and Adrian are the clear focus, but I feel like everyone is a necessary part and they’re all a lot of fun. Adrian though, Adrian is my boy.

Plot – Had everything I wanted. An interesting past, secrets that we uncover along the way, fascinating villains, and lots of potential for future books. Lots of unique elements that I loved.

Cover art – I LOVE THESE COVERS. Art is by Luisa Preissler, and kudos to her, because this style is just *chefs kiss*. Beautiful.

I love this, and I can’t recommend it enough.

[Kitty G Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this title and I am so pleased that the series also has the next book out as I plan to move onto that one really soon too.

This continues our adventures with Bex, the queen of the demons fighting back against Heaven, and Adrian, a witch of the Blackwood who wants to help. They are both really feisty and independent characters, but I think this book showed their more sensitive sides and brought them together in some really fun ways.

When they plot they do it well. We pick up the story when Bex is freeing demons from their bondage, and Adrian is coming up with ways to foil heaven and when they work together things get exciting. Throw in a hearty helping of magic, gods, demons, princes and magical swords and you have a jolly good adventure.

Overall I have come to expect really enjoyable reads from Rachel Aaron and this did not disappoint in any way. Highly recommend this series and will continue trying to read anything she publishes! 4*s

[Jamedi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review originally on JamReads

Hell of a Witch is the second novel in the Urban Fantasy series Tear Down Heaven, written by Rachel Aaron. A second installment full of action, intrigue, combat and tension, including a slow-burn romance that will play a key role in the plot, taking us to new places unexplored in the first book, and that will continue the fight against Gilgamesh and Heaven forces.

A month after their win against heaven forces, Bex, the Queen of Wrath, still continues with her fight, freeing more demons from warlocks with her group, trying to get the attention of Gilgamesh; however, the lack of action from heaven is making her nervous. But Adrian has an idea, targeting the Anchors, as they seem to be an important part of Heaven's power; infiltrating there won't be easy, and after a first assault that puts Bex between the wall and the rock, we see that she cares about more things than the rebellion against Heaven.

And as you can imagine, in this book, we have a Bex that is falling in love with Adrian, and that at many points, will struggle to choose if she prefers to just focus on the rebellion (as her sword suggests) or if she needs to also enjoy other things in this final life. Her group of demons is still like a family, and we can see how all of them have developed a big friendship with Adrian and Boston. Adrian is fully decided to be part of the rebellion, but also wants to be that support Bex needs with her struggles, and seriously, their stormy romance is one of the big selling points of this second instalment.

This novel is excellently paced, throwing us directly into the action, and using the slower moments to continue developing the characters. There are plenty of action scenes, and each time Aaron decides to write a combat, a smile appears on my face, because they are so spectacular. The world is expanded is a really organic way, making us to learn more at the same time our main characters discover that information.

Hell of a Witch is another excellent novel for this series; if you like Urban Fantasy, you need to read Tear Down Heaven. Aaron has written an incredible story, full of action but also feelings, and I can't wait to see how it continues in next books.

[TS Chan · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars.

I was greatly anticipating this book, and it didn't disappoint as none of Rachel Aaron's ever did. The only reason I did not round up the rating was because of the romance element which felt a tad YA to me. Fortunately, that did not persevere for the entirety of the book. The implied revelations that will be coming in the next book is going to be quite a doozy.

[Eon Windrunner · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

I just can't get enough of Rachel Aaron stories. Another absolutely fantastic entry. Just that the romance part of it seemed to stray a bit too close to YA drama territory, but that's sorted now.

I need the next book NOW.

More detailed review to hopefully come soon.

[Esme · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored the first book so I was ready to jump on the ARC offer from the author -- thank you to Rachel Aaron. Also, apologies for being late. For some reason I thought this was an October release but it's not, it came out 9/30 and so if this review sounds good to you, go ahead and pick it up!

This story picks up almost exactly where we left off (love that). The world also starts expanding almost immediately, there's a scene where Adrian starts using bone magic to talk to dead Sorcerers which was really neat. So, the plot basically to this whole book is -- fuck with the Princes, get Gilgamesh's attention, hit him where it hurts and where he can't regenerate. Meaning, all these slaves they're freeing is great and all, but it doesn't really fuck with Gilgamesh's power. There are millions of demons and freeing a few thousand here and there really doesn't make a dent. So, Adrian is suggesting kicking the bees nest by going after the Anchors. The Anchors are the only physical ties between heaven and Earth and their secrets are heavily guarded (like super ridiculously guarded). There's no information about who even runs these Anchors which is unusual because Warlocks like to brag about their power and place in the world at every chance they get, so if no one is bragging about running one of these things, they must be bound by secrecy. So, let's break into one of them, find out how it works, and fuck shit up!

We get a visit from one of Adrian's family members which was super neat, I love getting more backstory about characters, particularly their family dynamics as it's so essential to who we are and why we are the way we are. We get a touch more backstory on Bex as well when an old flame shows up and tries to join their party. He's an ass. I didn't like him. You're not supposed to like him.

There's a fair amount of action in this one as well and I think my favorite scene is one where they're doing battles in an M.C. Escher type environment. You can run on the ceiling, the walls, gravity is flexible, and it's dizzying just reading about it. Really difficult scene to pull off but it was done well and it was trippy as shit.

If you're a fan of Rachel Aaron you'll know that she writes mostly about cinnamon roll characters. This is not different, all of the characters continue to be the morally upstanding people they were in the last book, but that doesn't mean there's no drama between them. Except for Gilgamesh, he's still a bag of dicks. As far as drama between the main crew -- Bex is all like, "man, I need to focus on myself and my people and I really shouldn't be with Adrian because it's a distraction and a weakness." Adrian is all like, "wtf, I thought things were going well?" And so they've got that whole will they won't they vibes going on for most of the book.

Overall this was another fun installment in the series and I absolutely will be continuing on to see how the story progresses!

[Krista · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars. Maybe I am getting to old for these "saving the world" type of series. Its very clean, so some heat (ANY heat) would have placed this with a higher rating.

Highlights & Spoilers:
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We have the separation and angst trope, which I hate, since no one ever just talks and freeze the other person out. And why accept relationship advice from a SWORD?

I was super disappointed as the book seemed really boring to me until about 70% when they started putting the plan in action and even then there were so many long conversations happening while fighting. Did they just stand around while talking, waiting to kill each other after they were through??

And lots of long passionate speeches- yawn. Skimmed quite a bit. Look, the author has created a compelling story and has talent, there are just a few tropes and grandstanding moments that could have been trimmed. And add some spice! Compel the reader to get hooked!

Loved Adrian- he's the best part of this series but for a "Witch of the Flesh" he is remarkably virginal.

Some highlights I enjoyed-
Nemini is a delight:
“What the hell was going on back there?”
“The usual,” the void demon replied, holding out her dark-skinned hand to catch the leaves that were scraping over their RV. “Time passed, the slow decay of entropy continued unabated, bringing the universe that much closer to the inevitable end.”

There was this promising start to the story, before it all went down in allegorical flames:
Bex let him turn her in a circle, her cheeks coloring beautifully. “You look nice too.”
Adrian grinned even wider, and Iggs rolled his eyes. “Yes, yes, we all look great. Now can we please pay attention? We’re about to hit our window.”

And hello author- you CAN DRIVE around and get on Bainbridge Island without the ferry- this part bugged me:
But while this explained why Bex hadn’t risked getting on the ferry yet, it didn’t explain any of her other behavior.

And Lys shines in this story:
The demon gave him a cocky smile. “Looks like the Ballad of Lys the Always Right gets another verse.

[Lukasz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another solid piece of entertainment from Rachel Aaron. If you like your stories fast-paced, with relatable characters and twists that aren’t too surprising but still satisfying, you can't go wrong with this one. And so what if it's a bit naive?

[Mihir · Rating 5 out of 5]

OVERVIEW/ANALYSIS: Hell Of A Witch was one of my most anticipated books for 2024, plus Rachel Aaron gave us the sequel within three months of its predecessor’s release. This was a tremendous boost for us readers.

The plot of the story is set a month apart from the events of Hell For Hire and we are reunited with our beloved protagonists. Adrian along with Boston, is enjoying cultivating and growing his grove & making it a rival to the Blackwood forest on the east coast. Bex & her team have been busy freeing demons all along the west coast & building the survivor network. However Adrian isn’t just content with that & wants to do something earth shattering. He has his eyes set on understanding what an anchor is and why are they such a secret even within Heaven’s emissaries. This entire story is about this pivotal secret but as things stand, to learn the truth, Adrian & Bex will have to move heaven literally to make their plan succeed.

Thus begins the explosive second volume of this fantastical series wherein once again our intrepid gang seems to take on a task that’s more difficult than what they accomplished. Rachel Aaron this time around really gives us more of the characters we love namely Bex of the bonfire & Adrian Blackwood. Both characters are focused upon and we also get more of the romantic tension that’s been simmering between them. Moreso though, this book also fundamentally explores the question about what truly drives a person who has been alive for nearly five millennia. Plus how they do square their responsibilities as they are the last hope for their people versus just wanting to live their own life. Adrian Blackwood is trying something new (his ultimate aim has so far been hidden from the readers), he's a cerebral character & the author really gives us an in-depth look at how he constantly uses his intellect to overcome obstacles (though he doesn’t always succeed). This book focuses less on Iggs but we get more about Lys and Nemini and their personas are so much fun to explore.

Rachel Aaron’s characterization is top notch and she shows (rather than telling) what makes these characters tick. But by not only focusing on the main heroes, she also gives us a look in to the villains so as to speak. This was a smart move as I think in the future sequels, we might be getting more about the heavenly side. Plus the author smartly shows that those in Heaven also have their own struggles and not everything is golden.

However the best part for me was the small nods and reveals that are interspersed within the story that really accentuate how grand the world truly is:
- Firstly the reveal about the anchors and what they truly are. This was mindboggling IMHO.
- The seven heavenly princes and their seven swords, how is their power tied to the nine daughters of Ishtar?
- Also why do the princes seem to be so afraid of their father Gilgamesh?
- Also there’s a casual hint about Adrian’s paternity & it might just be causing further paradisiacal issues in the future.

The worldbuilding is revealed in snippets and careful portions so as to not overwhelm the pace of the main plot. Particularly I want to highlight one scene involving Adrian and the anchors which reveals the true brilliance of Rachel Aaron’s imagination. This scene for me was the best one of the entire book and rivals the best of China Meiville, George R. R. Martin, & Tad Williams’ imagination. There’s also a nice reveal about what other gods might have existed before being taken down by Gilgamesh. All of this is looking to be of paramount importance in the main fight to come. I’ve come to be amazed by Rachel’s brilliant plots and worldbuilding, but I honestly think she might have outdone herself with the magical underpinnings of this world. On another note, I honestly wish she returns to epic fantasy where she truly explore her magical systems & worldbuilding without being constrained by the logic of Earth’s corollaries.

The action sequences are fun and emotionally enticing. While Bex and Drox get more to do with her flames and swordpower. It’s Adrian Blackwood who really gets to show off his cool herbological knowledge & magical horticultural skills. I hope we get to see more of this in the future books, because it’s rare to see magic of such kind. Plus Adrian is really a brilliant witch & it’s a rare joy to see him confound the forces of heaven with horticultural magic.

Lastly this book is a solid sequel that takes the positives of its predecessor and then gives us doubly with its POV characters namely Adrian & Bex. If you are looking for a fun ride with lots of emotional hijinks, romantic tension & magical battles. Then this is the book for you, proving once again that Rachel Aaron is one brilliant lady at getting us readers hyped and then bowling us over with her fun, action-packed books.

CONCLUSION: Hell Of A Witch is a hell of a sequel, as it mixes action, romance, magic in a hella crazy way and give us a story that leaves us satisfied but also wanting the next book desperately. Tear Down Heaven is fast proving to be one of 2024’s best series and it might just be Rachel Aaron’s best one yet.

[Mimi Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of cool witchery! Big reveals about what underpins Gilgamesh’s power - and even as our heroes tear it down, there are doubts whether the cure is worse than the disease (so much potential for expansive storytelling).

I really enjoyed exploring the characters more. Interesting dynamics explored throughout and at the end.

However, I was annoyed at Bex for some very immature behavior. It just strikes me as odd in a novel that skews older in other ways (as does she).

[Thush · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this so much! It was a sequel that is equal, if not better, than its predecessor.

The whole plot flowed really well while more details and depth were added to the worldbuilding and the characters, even the secondary ones. My favourite is still Adrian, who I just adore. We met one more member of his family. I hope we get to see more of them in their element, like some sort of family reunion because the Blackwood clan sounds like a hoot. There were also some intriguing little tidbits that I can't wait to read about in the upcoming books.

My only disappointment was that even though Bex is an MC with her own pov, she seems to be not as well-written as Adrian. Her story and her character have a lot of potential, and though she underwent some development, the majority of it was in the last 20% of the book during a (epic) battle scene.

[Mell Bright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Again, a really fun book. I'm so in love with Adrian as a character. A man forest witch is just the coolest trope. I will never get bored of reading about him doing magic.
The magic system and world building is flawless.
I'm definitely getting the paperbacks as trophies. Thank you, Rachel Aaron!

[Elisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm really enjoying these books. Great characters and worldbuilding with a ton of action. i am sad only 3 of 5 books are written at the moment! I have to slow down.

[Chanel Chapters]

Heaven called. It wants its Anchor back.

3.75⭐️

[༶ Laura ༶ · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5
bisschen annoying

[Paulina Rae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun installment in a really interesting and unique world. Really looking forward to the next book.

[Katherine Rupley · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.7 Some times I'd like just a little bit less angst as I don't like screaming at the air as I listen. Only happened once but really. another fine read/listen!

[Debrac2014 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story! I really liked Adrian, Bex and all the demons!

[Wes Robertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one - it did not sacrifice plot for the love story component but rather used it to make the story stronger and intensify the overall story arc. A great light fantasy read that remains well developed throughout the series.

[Ray · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF @ 26%

Wtf happened?? I thoroughly enjoyed the first book so I jumped into this one right away (despite the first book being mostly about heterosexuals). This second one has been pure gooey, childlike crushing between the MCs, boring as hell plot points, and obnoxious distractedness by the MCs because they can't stop looking at/thinking about one another. To top it off, there's a Harry Potter reference on page 93 that "kicked" me right out of the series.

I deeply dislike this book.

[Jord MiddleofNowhere · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hell of a Witch is a thrilling sequel to the incredible Hell for Hire. It wastes no time in picking up right where the previous novel left off, with Bex saving more of the enslaved demons. I was very intrigued to see where the story would take us this time, and it did not disappoint. There is more magic and a deeper understanding of the world unfolds before our eyes in the hands of an expert author.

The strength of the novel is definitely the characters. You are able to feel the heartbreak and pain that some of the characters have to go through at times. It flows at a very quick pace, allowing the reader to be fully enveloped in the world that unfolds. The magic of the witches really takes center stage in this novel, really amazing and awesome parts of the story. It brought back all of the characters from the first novel, and they are just as great in this one.

I will say prepare yourself for a wild ride as they look to avenge the grievous wrongs that have occurred to them. I highly recommend this one to all of those who are looking for a new take on the urban fantasy genre. There is no mysterious under city that usually takes place, but is a new take on the world that we inhabit with a very unique world.

Thank you for taking the time to read my review. As always, happy reading and Stay Great!!

[Ambar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Soft DNF. This is cute and cozy, I'm just not in the mood to finish it right now. I'll likely pick it back up at some point. I haven't started it back up since April though, so I'm just taking it off the mental and GR list for now.

[Kaitlyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I swear it took me two months to read this book not because it was bad but because I didn’t want it to be done quite yet. Rachel Aaron shows again that 5/5 books are her specialty. Must read.

[Karin (book_scent) · Rating 4 out of 5]

More world building, more action, more magic - this was one hell of a sequel!

I like how the plot is developing and am glad that the romance side of things is (hopefully) sorted. Looking forward to the next one!

[Charlotte Frank · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much fun !! Terrific sequel, loved the further character development and the direction the story is going . Eagerly awaiting the next book.

[Diana T-C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great characters, interesting and new fantasy ideas, solid story.

Dragged a bit with too much wondering about romantic feelings.
Action scenes were long at times.
No sex described - just light romance mentioned, and that's wonderful.

I would buy book 3.