This one definitely picks up better than the first of the Legends, in my opinion. There was something about the characters that drew me in more than before. In fact, it's basically the characters that drive everything here. :) 
 The basic story of rebellion, arming for war, training for war, and just getting the tools they need to do a good job of it is pretty much omnipresent. As a standard fantasy fare, it's full of the elves, the dwarves, and the regular old ignorant humans, but it's not these elements that should excite anyone. 
 It's the magic and the discovery of *old* warfare in this deep fantasy past that should do it. 
 Oh, and also the lies in the old text and comparing the other series revelations with what REALLY happened. :) That was pretty damn fun. Oh, and the baddies. 
 My only complaint, if I had any for real, was that the whole amazing surprise bits about metallurgy and bows. It felt a bit too yokelish and even the big surprise about reading was a bit too... um... basic. But I can forgive that as long as I had fun, and I had fun!