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Given the mixed reviews I read about this book, I wasn't sure what I'd think of it. Those who didn't like the book cited the jarring lapses of time as the short book crams in a number of years and the odd plot of Keladry's maid. It was a pleasant surprise to find I liked this book even better than the first.

While the first book mainly focused on Keladry's training and the question of whether she'd be able to keep up with the boys physically and if the training master would allow her stay even if she did prove herself, this book starts to go into deeper issues. There's a lot of corruption in the world, and it starts to come to light through the story of Kel's maid, the summer excursion that nearly kills Kel and her classmates, and hints of war coming in future years. We also get some of Kel's personal issues as she starts to notice boys and they start to notice her. All in all, this book was just way more interesting and engaging. The odd passage of time didn't bother me at all.

I still give this book three stars simply because I'm waiting for something more exciting to happen. This book still mainly circles around Kel's training with hints at how the plot is going to pick up in later books. I'm excited to keep moving forward with the series and see how the struggle started in this book lead into the others.