This book has a different vibe from the first. First was pure edge and a shallow look in superpowers with the main focus between the "feud" of 2 guys and in a sense, their principles (though Victor's principles were to not let Eli win). This book is more linear (despite the initially mind-boggling back and forth) with a deeper look in the powers and character development... for the most part. I loved that this book somehow took all my feedback and put it into the book, but I'd say the final 10-20% was underwhelming, which just leaves wanting more and lessened the enjoyment a lot.
Here we have a bigger cast, more powers, more powerplay and lots of angst. It was really nice to see the intricacies of each power and while the development was deeper, in the end it wasn't equal, which I suppose isn't a must, but I'd have liked it since it went for it! The story is more cohesive compared to the first and while there are interesting characters, I think our mind goes back to the characters we loved!
The moment Victor saw Eli was We were all waiting for it! Of course, nothing much could happen in that environment, but it was enough they saw each other. Victor's random obsession is kinda funny sometimes, while everyone being super scared of Eli and his actions is funny when Marcella is out there killing tens of people in a matter of days 😂 I'd have liked something more to feed that fire to keep it going!
Honestly, not much else to say about their showdown. VERY lackluster and VERY fast/
Also, I liked June as a tool a lot, but that came with the condition we'd find out more about her other than her random obsession with Syd? I get tat Syd was her first friend after becoming an EO. And Victor was the first time she met another EO, but still. We got tidbits of her past (which also got resolved fast due to Hutch dying super fast) and she seems to have some issues with her real self, but that's all. Otherwise, she's everywhere and nowhere. Without her the plot wouldn't exist haha
Dr Haverty... TALK ABOUT ANTICLIMACTIC. He managed to make a suppresant, he managed to kidnap Eli and he died LIKE THAT? 0 thought as to how to protect himself physically? He didn't tie down Eli? I was 100% the twist would be that he had used Eli's cell to transfer part of his power to him and he'd heal, but... Again, very lackluster how fast it happened. Syd killing Eli was poetic justice, but also so fast. I suppose, sometimes it is that fast, but the whole Haverty part was like a broom sweeping the remains of something fast to get it over with.
In my version of the book, somewhere towards the end, Schwab made 2 mistakes about age! It's supposed to be 15 years ago, mentioned multiple times here and there, but at the end, twice she referred to events happening 13 years ago. I even checked the wiki to make sure I didn't miss anything, but no! It was a mistake. I wonder if all versions are like that!
