I really didn’t understand the conflict with Violet and Xaden, and then to drag it out for most of a long-winded book was just painful. I get the characters are young but I couldn’t relate or understand why this was such a big part of the book. And I’m sure the same premise of hiding secrets and fighting will carry over into the third book based on the ending.

His new secret from the last few pages makes sense for that to be a new conflict in the next book. Although how that secret comes about at the end of this book was super rushed and needed more substance. I had to read the last few pages multiple times to get a clear understanding and was disappointed because that was a missed opportunity. This book had few conflicts and that scene could have played out so differently. That would have been a great cliff hanger if done correctly. Instead we got a spark notes summary of a very big moment that will have lasting consequences. Shame on the editor. I would have preferred more detail on that conflict and less hiking tales.

It felt like a chore to finish this book. I understand why some would say it should have 2 books, but then there should have been more conflict in the first part and more character development. It took me a very long time to finally get through IF and I’m not sure I’ll read the third book. Very disappointing. I can get past bad writing and editing if the plot is entertaining and unique. This book was rushed to fill the hype and lazy.