From the publisher: “Morrigan Crow and her friends have survived their first year as proud scholars of the elite Wundrous Society, helped bring down the nefarious Ghastly Market, and proven themselves loyal to Unit 919. Now Morrigan faces a new, exciting challenge: to master the mysterious Wretched Arts, and control the power that threatens to consume her.  But a strange and frightening illness has taken hold of Nevermoor, turning infected Wunimals into mindless, vicious Unnimals on the hunt. As victims of the Hollowpox multiply, panic spreads. And with the city she loves in a state of fear, Morrigan quickly realizes it’s up to her to find a cure for the Hollowpox, even if it will put her — and everyone in Nevermoor — in more danger than she ever imagined.”

Evil Wundersmith Ezra Squall is once again behind the horrible happenings in Nevermoor.  There is a bit of a twist in the relationship between Morrigan and Ezra that I won’t give away.  The parallels with our society (U.S.) at the time of the book release are spot on –  the bigotry, the rapid spread of misinformation, the fervent desire to put down a certain class.   But the book is not at all preachy. I began this book thinking it would be a trilogy, but no, there will be more.  That’s good, but it could become tiresome if the story spreads out too much further. The supporting characters are all back, but with lesser parts.  This book focuses more on Morrigan learning to grow into her power and her joy in learning. The books should be read in order and those who enjoyed the first two will certainly want to read this one.  I am intrigued about the growing relationship between Morrigan and Ezra.  Is he earnest, can he be trusted?  I will eagerly read the next in the series to find out.

eGalley review                                                   Publication date 10.27.2020