In a lot of ways it was superior to the book directly preceding it. It had a lot of great elements, including emotional conflict between the two main characters, the rebuilding of a new coterie, dragon intrigue, marriage intrigue, and some better witted developments. What can I say? I like Fitz and the Fool. I love the world surrounding it. I love the different kinds of magic coming out of the woodwork. 
 And even if I feel a little meh about the whole witted conflicts that seem a bit trumped up, everything else is so enjoyable that I can't stop reading it.