Well-produced but rather slow story

Similar to the first book in this series, I feel like I wouldn't have finished this book if I had read a physical/e-copy of the book because it is just a very slow, no real action kind of story. If you like non-toxic romances and don't mind a lot of telling and less showing, you might like this, except for the fact that for the majority of this book the lovers aren't together. It does get pretty steamy after they reunite, though.

Learning about the characters and the world is all well and good, but I feel like the author relies way too much on telling rather than showing. The entire story is just dialogue between characters, so I don't really feel anything about any of the information. For example, I don't even really remember what the difference between the Mercy and the Solace is, nor do I get why Cassia believes these are very important traditions that will be a horrible loss for Tenebra should the Hesperines stop doing them, YET this is a plot point that seems like it's supposed to evoke emotion and concern in us as readers similar to what she and Lio express. Having only vaguely heard about them and not even remembering what they really are, I just do not care. I think maybe if I had seen someone other than Cassia experience it and treasure it like her, then maybe these practices and their potential loss would feel important.

The book remains an enjoyable enough listen in terms of their developing sweet relationship, but honestly, I found the utopian Orthros pretty bland. It's kind of hard to relate to the idea that Tenebra is this deeply harsh and difficult place to survive and right next door is a utopian society full of the nicest people ever, BUT the Tenebrans all think their evil AF. Like, I just don't see how if the Solace and the Mercy are supposed to be such good traditions and the Hesperines are such kind and helpful people how this fear could have been successfully sustained for so long. It just pulls me out of the world-building and my suspension of disbelief.

When I first got this second book, I thought I would keep listening, but these are just so long with nothing happening that I think I will probably leave these for now. The end of this book was satisfying enough and the tension over what Tenebra and King Lucas will do to the Hesperines/Orthros is just not interesting enough to make me wonder what will happen next.

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