"I really liked Blood Debts and was excited for the sequel, which was also very good. I do think it's got some pacing issues and drags a bit towards the early part of the book, but things definitely pick up and there is a LOT that happens. It gives me dark CW teen drama vibes, with this book focusing even more on revenge, the price of using certain kinds of magic, injustice, and the fallout of murder.

The series is set in a magical version of contemporary New Orleans, following a cast of characters from powerful magic families including a brother and sister. It's book 2 so I don't want to spoil things, but it offers a good balance between action and blood-soaked vengeance, and quieter character moments that fit it being a YA novel. If you liked book 1, you should for sure pick up book 2. Just note that it ends with some resolution, but also a bit of a cliffhanger! The audio narration is excellent with a full cast and different voices for each of the perspectives. I received an audio copy of this book for review via NetGalley, all opinions are my own."

"this is a novella debut so I am being more lenient than I would normally be but A Necessary Chaos needed to have been a full novel. There was not enough world-building, character development or plot to make us care for this storyline. This is a great foundation for a really truly brilliant book given a couple more years and a few more rewrites to make it into a novel.

It could have been fantastic and ended up being fast-paced action with little heart. "