This is definitely my favorite book in the series. Marcus is like no one else on this team. He's not what you'd expect. He's nothing like the others. He's privileged, a member of the silver spoon society, and one of the most capable of knowing what's in your heart.
Maddie is a little apprehensive about spending time with Marcus. He's an enigma to her. Getting to know him has been quite an experience for her, though. He seems to understand her in ways the others just don't. And, if that's not enough, he knows he can help build her strength if she'll just let him in. And Maddie needs to feel her own strength. She needs to acknowledge that she actually is an asset to the team. However, Maddie, being the least likely to be voted Open Book of the Year, is more than just a little nervous about letting anyone in, let alone someone as potent as Marcus. Her lack of self-confidence in regards to magic is paralyzing her, which is where Marcus can help. If she'll just let him.
But for the team, the trials, she knows she needs to give it her all. Which, like it or not, means opening up to Marcus. But, really, how hard can that be, seeing as he's gorgeous, mysterious, and oh, man, is he built! Not like Connor, their sunshine with a lanky build, or even Luke, the sensitive powerhouse, but built instead with enough wiry muscle to make him drool-worthy. It's his intensity that holds her back.
This book brings us closer to the end of the trials, with Maddie finding out more and more about what she can do and how deep her power runs. Learning more about herself, and subsequently learning more about Marcus, brings her to a new level in her magic, and her ability to back her teammates. It's a riveting tale of what it's like to open up to someone completely, and not have it backfire in your face. What an exhilarating experience that can be.
DD Chance, I am in awe of the way these just keep getting better and better with each volume. This was so exceptionally done I want to scream it from the rooftops! Excellently done, DD Chance, Excellently done indeed! And then some!