** spoiler alert ** 
 Actually, compared to the first book, I think this was much better. I actually grieved at the end because one of my favorite, sorta badass character passed away when I thought she wouldn't. However, I think this book created a bit more suspense than the first. Albeit, some parts were predictable. This book, like the first, had it's funny moments like when an old merman is sitting in a bathroom that had peace signs over it.