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Ow, my heart. I still think this was a bit less well-paced than the first book, but I did enjoy it, and I should've seen a certain thing coming...

Even though I say it wasn't so well paced, I tore through it, it's not like it's difficult going or anything. It's just perceptibly slower, a bit less tight.

Anyway, I think it wrapped up the story well and left Slate, Caliban et al in a good place. Well. A place they can continue healing, at least.

Hmmmm. I'm finding this a bit less well-paced than the first book. All these events need to happen, but I keep feeling like a page or two needs to be taken out of every chapter, and sometimes a whole chapter needs to go. The first book was better-paced.

I rarely go onto the next book in a series straight away, these days -- I couldn't tell you why. But with this duology, that seemed like the best thing to do; this book follows the first pretty immediately. Good thing I have the ebook, since only the first book has been reprinted in the UK so far.

Anyway, I haven't read much yet, but it still says something that I even started it already.

4/5

I loved this conclusion to the Clocktaur Wars. Many of the twists continued to surprise me. And as always, I love anytime Gnolls show up in T. Kingfisher's White Rat books.

A strong finish to this fantasy duology. Slate and her band of misfits have figured out where the Clocktaurs are coming from and now must figure out a way to destroy them. She must also deal with her growing feelings for the not quite possessed Paladin Caliban.

I enjoy the way T. Kingfisher creates worlds full of people having very real struggles in a life that is not easy, but still infuses their stories with a level of fluffy hopefulness.

Second in the series see the characters arrive at their goal and set about graining access to the secrets of the cloctaurs. While also dealing with a lot of sexual tension and doging some scary people from the past. Fullfils the promise of the first book. Another cracking adventure.

So, this was a treat, a very satisfying conclusion to the duology. I could even tolerate the romance plot bunny when it was done like this, along with demon slaying and multilayered themes handled with subtlety and humor.

I haven't actually come across a book from T. Kingfisher that I haven't adored and soon my ongoing project of reading through her entire biography is complete. ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 👌

The other part of the Clocktaur War duology picks up the threads from Clockwork Boys and finishes weaving an enthralling and satisfying tale.
5/5