I was hovering between a three or four star rating, so I guess I'll just say 3.5 stars. 
 Like other reviewers, I felt this book was jarringly different from the previous, Seraphina. Seraphina was a story of secrets, with music, politics, and a dash of romance for good measure. The world felt real, and we were shown just the right amount of it, I think, to lend the reader that authenticity. There was time to explore Lavondaville (all of Goredd that matters, I suppose) and its culture, and time to contrast it casually with the cultures displayed by the foreign dignitaries at the palace. There was suspense in the web of lies Seraphina had spin to protect herself, as well as when she had to navigate her web carefully when dragon trouble threatened her country. At the end, a twist, some assassination attempts, and a dragon fight provided a nice dose of action and drama. 
 Shadow Scale didn't seem to be the same sort of tale as its prequel. It's a heavy drama compared to its predecessor, with Goredd on the brink of a war that seems like it might swallow the country whole. Goredd's only hope lies in Seraphina gathering others like her from three foreign countries. We get to see the countries and cultures previously referenced, firsthand as Seraphina takes off on her quest. However, her travels felt to me a bit dull. I felt like I missed Glisselda and Kiggs during her journey more than Seraphina did, because it seemed so boring without them. And of course, the book doesn't contain enough pages to show the three countries with the same thoroughness as Goredd. Though each place felt unique and thought out, they also felt hollow to me. Perhaps because Seraphina's guides didn't care too much about informing Seraphina of many cultural notes, nor were there very many interactions with the locals, apart from Porphyry. Seraphina also didn't care to observe as much as I wish she had. She was very preoccupied with her task, which I suppose is a valid excuse. 
 And a bit more than halfway, the book grew gloomy again as a certain menace began to threaten to warp every character. The book morphed into an action drama, or, really, just continued to be a drama with loads more action. Then it just turned annoying as the certain menace grew, warping everything. It was during this half I began to ponder if the book deserved three stars, which I was loath to give to the successor of a book I had loved so much. However, the book did finish strong, and all in all, it was not a terrible read by any stretch of the imagination. It was just very different from what I (and probably many) was expecting. 
 There were definitely elements of the book I did like, such as the mindfire and the backstories of the Saints. Glisselda and Kiggs felt just as they had in the first book, and I loved them for that. Abdo was lovable as ever, for the most part. And I did appreciate the glimpses of each territory of the world, no matter how brief. 
 If you're wondering whether to read this after loving Seraphina, I'd still say to give it a shot. Just realize that it has a very different feel from the first and don't expect it to sweep you off your feet as Seraphina may have. It's not a bad book by any means, just very different. But then, Seraphina was probably going to be a tough act to follow no matter what.