This book was clearly a transition to bigger and better things. Several things I had suspected had some true, while other things remained unanswered. Overall, old storylines were either neatly severed or deepened and it's clear book 10 will be something to read. 
 Things in this book seemed a little rushed. It should have really been two books and damn wrapping up the the opening mystery story by the end. It can stretch over two novels!