I read For Darkness Shows the Stars a few months ago and I was ecstatic to find out there was going to be a sequel albeit not one that continues with the same characters I came to love but it was a nice change of pace seeing the new world of New Pacifica so I didn't it mind that much. 
 At first, it was hard to get into the story since in the first few chapters, the reader is bombarded with almost every detail about Reduction, the war, DAR, and so on that in the first book was gradually explained, and that was another thing: the terms were also different from FDStS. Luddite, Post, Captain, Chancellor, palmport, Darken, reg, aristo- it was just confusing to make the transition from one book to the other with the terms, especially when we get a visit from our favorite characters from FDStS: Elliot, Kai, Ro, and Andromeda! I was glad to see them in this book, especially since the story wasn't going to be focused around them, but I found that I came to love the characters in AaSSS (especially Persis, Justen, and Remy) so with the introduction of these characters, it made the change more enjoyable. 
 The story was very well-written, the characters were believable in their actions (no spontaneous change from being weak and coward to suddenly standing up for themselves and defeating the bad guy- I mean, c'mon that's not credible unless the change in character is explained as him growing and learning, etc..) but anyway, I liked the romance in it. It was frustrating at times when Justen was always bringing Persis down in his thoughts, but only because as a reader we know her true self, but other than that, I was elated when he finally figured out his feelings for her and they "end up" together in the end of the book. 
 Which goes on to my next point: the ending. I'm on the fence about the ending. On the one hand, I liked how it all ended with no one getting hurt or dying or (view spoiler)[without Persis getting Reduced and Ro and Andromeda being hurt (hide spoiler)] and that Persis and Justen finally had the chance to be together with no secrets and being to be themselves but on the other hand, it just ended there! the last sentence of the book: 
 "It's good," Justen added, as he cupped her face in his other and tangled his fingers in her hair, "because, Persis Blake, the next time I kiss you, I want you to know it's for real." pg.449 
 And it ended just like that. Of course FDStS also did something like what with Elliot and Ro joining Kai on the Fleet but I wanted at least more insight into their relationship after the whole Justen figuring out Persis was the Wild Poppy. 
 Other than that, I will definitely be looking forward to the next book in the series and seeing the characters from both of these books make an appearance in future books too. Especially looking forward to the interesting twists and turns and new concepts of the world Diana Peterfreund created. And looking forward to the romance in the book too!