A Captured Cauldron

Compared to the previous, there were higher stakes in this book and less of the cosy element, however I thoroughly enjoyed it as much as the first.

Our beloved Ambrose has been taken by the darkside of the Scar, demanding from him something that no one has ever managed to brew before. Eli is besides himself, as seen by some of his rash actions which causes setbacks, and while Dawn is also fretting about her bestie she manages to find love along the way.

The plot was a great middle ground between the last book and what I expect will be happening in the sequel. Eli grows immensely in this book, his hotheadedness causing some problems, which allows him to grow and apply it to his new profession as an adventurer. Ambrose's relationship with Nat, an orphan who has been disappointed many times in her short life so far, is wholesome to read despite the situation that they're in.

The ending was as happy as it could be, with sprinklings of the groundwork laid for the following book. While I am a little concerned for their wellbeing, knowing what the Aphosians are like, hopefully it'll be addressed later because I'm sure it's not the last we've seen of them.