<blockquote><b><i>“There were two kinds of monsters, the kind that hunted the streets and the kind that lived in your head. She could fight the first, but the second was more dangerous. It was always, always, always a step ahead.” </i></b></blockquote> This second book was such an amazing conclusion to this duology. I went in a little afraid because I've read some mixed reviews, but I shouldn't have worried. Schwab not only expanded the world she created in the first book but took things to another level. Our main characters are dealing with the consequences of what happened at the ending of the first installment and the events of it left their mark and influence their actions. Although I enjoyed knowing what happens in other cities, I thought that maybe we could have seen more than one city - do they also have monsters? How do they live and what do they think about what happened in Verity? I also thought that the author went to the trouble of introducing this new cast of very interesting characters to use them only as support for Kate, briefly, and then completely forget about them. It was one of the only things I wish it was done differently. I loved how Kate & August's plotlines paralleled each other and they had to deal with their 'humanity'. The entire novel was fast-paced and a rollercoaster of emotions. The ending was explosive and heart-wrenching but I could understand and even agree with the decisions Schwab took here. There was this one unnecessary death that left me super upset, but it was only one detail in the entire book. I also liked the open ending, it leaves room for possible other books in this world, maybe exploring the other cities. Can't wait to read more by Victoria Schwab, and maybe other urban fantasies, since I seem to enjoy the genre.