The Shadow Cabinet

This second book took a lot longer to get going and was significantly darker. A lot of the heart that made the first book work wasn’t here and there was a lot of tragedy for the characters to cope with.

I enjoyed the climax of the story and I probably will read the next one in the series when it comes out but the first one was a lot more enjoyable.

3.5 stars
I liked this, just not as much as the first one. I'm still excited for the conclusion though.

Better than the first, but it did take a smidge to get going. Here's hoping #3 starts as strong as this one finished!

After reading the first instalment of the trilogy a few months ago, I was so pleased to get a Netgalley copy of the latest novel. This is another strong additional to the trilogy. This story gives more backstory to the characters of Ciara, Luke (the mundane gardener) and develops the relationship between Holly and Theo which was so sweet. Snow (Helena's daughter) was absent from the novel but it has heavily alluded to her return in the final book for a showdown. The book didn't have any Niamh in it which was disappointing as she was my favourite character so I hope we find a way to bring her back ! And Leonie travelling around was a little boring in parts but otherwise it was as good as the first. I love the world building of the Shadow Cabinet and the mundane government world. The action scenes are done well and the character development is strong. I also love the northern links in the book as I'm a northern lass myself.

Thanks to the author Juno Dawson, Publisher Harper Collins UK and Netgalley for a review copy in exchange for an honest review.

claws face I stayed up too late to finish this!! AAAA

Also thank you Juno Dawson for helpfully providing a list of characters/minor recap at the beginning of this! Series authors stop expecting me to remember everything from the previous books challenge!! I want to re-read the first one now though because I've been reminded how much I love these characters. AAAAAAAA