The Night Prince

This book was even better than the first one!!!!! I don't usually say this about a book, since the first one, for me, is usually the best but Lauren definitely lived up to the hype from the first book. The pacing, characters, development and ending was everything it needed to be. However, there is only one stipulation I have with this book. Only one. Since meeting Blake in the first book and seeing their relationship evolve, I have decided that I am team Blake. In the beginning of this book, I understood why Callum and Aurora are still together, but when Aurora finds out what she and Blake are, I believe Callum could have done better by remaining adamant that nothing more happen between them until Aurora figures out what she wants. I think she's so adamant to remain with Callum because he is her first everything; the first time she felt free, was given choices, shown all the things she was never given, and the first person she loved and gave herself over to freely. Because of this, she doesn't want to ever not love him despite, even if she denies it, not realizing that she is falling for Blake in a way she will never love Callum. For me, he is her first love and that's it. Blake is her epic, all consuming love she'll do anything for. Which is why it's so frustrating that when Aurora learns what Blake is to her, that she overreacts and goes to Callum. Callum should have stuck to letting Aurora figure out what she wants, deep down, in her heart, instead of giving in. Also, I don't like that Callum is sort of becoming this person who, in the first book, allowed her to have all her choices and gave her space and time to decide what she wanted and now in the second book, we're starting to see minor flaws of him wanting to possess something whilst Aurora doesn't want to be possessed or owned. I don't like that Callum says he wishes to be with someone who's his equal, yet does not treat Aurora like she is his equal. She is constantly putting herself down for him, not in an abusive way, but in a way that keeps her as she was when he first found her and rescued her. Callum is not, in any way abusive, but I just don't like that Aurora is trying to remain who she was, despite knowing nearly everything about her is changing. The ending, though, really does pick up the hope that Aurora is starting to accept she is falling for Blake. We see more of Callum pulling away towards the end, despite wanting to be with Aurora and the intimate moment they have during a revelation of Blake. But in the end, it's Blake who saves Aurora, not Callum. I think this book would be given a diservice if Aurora and Blake don't end up together in the end, with Callum either accepting the proposal from another pack alpha or accepting that Aurora has chosen someone else because it is the right thing for her. I know Callum was the main love interest in book 1, and I did like him for her at that time. But someone about Blake has called to me, despite, and I'm not sure about this. But I really hope that the author isn't keen towards Callum, because it seems with the pull towards Blake, but the anchor to Callum, that the author wants Callum to be end-game. Or perhaps she just wants to show a struggle inside of Aurora, constantly hiding her wants and feelings, needing to remain with Callum because he is the safe, and was, the first choice before Blake came into the picture. I really hope so, because I will cry if Blake and Aurora aren't end-game!!!

The back and forth between the dreams and reality was confusing at times, and some parts felt a little slow because there was so much focus on the dream sequences. Still, the ending really picked up and made the story much more exciting.I felt terrible for Aurora and Callum, though I’m hoping Blake ends up being good for her because it seemed like she wanted more from Callum than he was willing or able to give. I did suspect that Aurora had the Heart of the Moon, but the reveal at the end still surprised me.One of my favorite parts was seeing Aurora begin to rebuild a relationship with her brother. Their scenes together added a lot emotionally, and I’m really hoping their bond continues to grow in the next book.

Okay, that was a ride. And I have so many hopes for the last book. As some of my theories were proven, I will not mention those as they would now be spoilers and no longer theories. But I do have some I can share.For one, not really a theory but a wish, I kind of want her to be with Blake. But also not. Callum gives me Tamlin [from A Court of Thorns and Roses] vibes. Am I the only one? He is overprotective, refuses to let Rory protect herself or even learn. He had promised to teach her but never did, at least it wasn't mentioned at all. It was almost completely forgotten.Blake is more complicated. He is dark and has some dangerous secrets. But he also has his reasons for what he does.There is a part of me that wants him and Aurora to be together because I personally prefer him. There's also the issue with their bond. Unless it is broken, there is a chance Callum won't even consider being with her again. I theorize he might accept the proposal from the Wolf Queen in the Snowlands out of desire for her army. However, that's only if Phillip fails in winning the queen's heart. Don't know if they are mates or if Phillip is merely interested in her. Who knows.With Blake and Aurora traveling alone now, who knows what could pop up between them when it is quite clear they both feel the pull. Only Aurora seems to be fighting it though.Too bad we have to wait for September to find out what will happen next. I'm looking forward to that release.