Rating: 4 stars

Posted at Wonderland Novels here! There's also a giveaway!

A. Lynden Rolland's follow up to Of Breakable Things is another adventure into the land of the dead, into the world of Eidolon, where those who couldn't live to the fullest before they died, have a second chance. It's part romance, part mystery, and partially creepy, in an artistic way.

The sequel picks off some time after the incident surrounding Alex Ash, and her revelation that she looks like the prophetess and champion to the gifted, Sephi Anovark. The sequel also answers many of our questions and acts as a sort of world builder, in comparison to its fast-paced predecessor. We learn the discrimination and separation between the gifted - the bodied with special abilities, and the spiritual - the ghosts. We learn how the Lasalles died. We learn about Alex Ash's past and her family.

There are also many new characters that are introduced. Sigorny. Little Gossamer. Rae. And more. Sigorny is the Rita Skeeter of Eidolon, always looking for the hottest news. Rae remains a mystery, a quiet one at that, up until the end.

The romance between Alex and Chase is developing and growing - and it's adorable that he cares, and his protectiveness can't be seen as jealousy, because he also worries for his missing brother, Jonas, as well. Speaking of Jonas, I was wondering where he was! His POV was interesting to read, and it's nice to know his motives are in the right place.

The writing continues to be beautifully written, as always. Here are some of my favorite quotes.

There's a fine line between the want for purpose and the want for recognition.

Hate and love were the two most passionate emotions. If you take the time to hate something, it meant you secretly cared about it.

Your melancholy is misplaced. They're much more alive than you think. Save your pity for greater things.

One thing I can say is, it is a lot of information to process in 300 pages. It was also complicated to read, so in order to fully get this information, you had to read slowly. And carefully. For the most part, you're more or less confused about several things until the last chapter, which ties Alex's connection to Sephi very nicely! The whole plotline of Havilah and Anovark and Raive along with the gifted/spiritual conflict was intricate, and fun to read. Also the whole curse was cool and imaginative - It certainly is creepy to curse your enemies daughters' with your face.

My only qualms about this sequel, and they are relatively minor - The occasional "Alex is not used to being dead" thing. She's been dead for a year, and every time something magically happens she's apparently not used to the powers of being dead. But... she seemed pretty used to it in the 1st book. And, although you can take it either way, the lack of action in the book. Most of the book was used to world build and explain things, which is great. But I did miss the powers and abilities of the spirits in 1st book. The lessons were even a bit plainer than before, although Duvall's class did remind me of Potions/Prof. Snape!

So romance, curses, spirits and the bodied with powers similar to spirits - it's a read that works well with the season! I'd say it's a great Halloween read, but alas the holiday passed... Nevertheless, this spooky romance/mystery did not disappoint. ( )