This book was faster paced, more action, more danger, sadly more casualties. Imara and her friends went from just needing to save some children, to saving a city, to saving the WORLD. Now that Santini is back in the picture, the evil knows no bounds. She seems to have a soft spot for Imara, but does she truly think of her as a daughter, or just wants to manipulate her? Imara has gotten very good at deciphering nonverbal language and picking out tells even without her hila to help her. Her heart has opened and grown and she is a whole new person compared to just months ago. She and Naki are enjoying true sisterhood and both are developing into fuller people. Some devastating losses and betrayals in this book, but Imara earns her "hero" tag. This book was action packed through the end, couldn't put it down!