The book started out right where the first left off. There was little recapping of previous events besides what had just happened. For me the novel started off a little slow. It took me longer to get into it than the first one did. But once I did I couldn't stop reading. There were a couple of new character additions, but I would have to say that Gaelen was the best. He added a much needed dose of levity to the story and I look forward to his antics in the other novels. 
 The first two books together are like the first chapter or volume of their story. Where the first novel ends leaving a string left over to pick up where the second book starts, the second book ends with a more solid ending yet still there's that promise of more story to tell. The story of their time in Celerian is over and we can expect the next novel to pick up in the Fading Lands where we;ve heard so much about yet we haven't really seen yet. 
 While I am intending to finish the series, the writing at times seems very abrupt. Senarios seem to spring out of nowhere, but in the end they all come together as a cognitive whole. There are still some unanswered questions but that's all part of a series. Not everything can be answered in the first book. 
 I do think that the love story between Rain and Ellie is unique in that even though their souls are connected they still have to work at the relationship and work towards the love that will bind them forever, and we work through that with them. They are not the instantly bright, shiny couple. I look forward to reading how their love for one another continues to grow.