As a sequel it did improve upon the first, including a fairly complicated plot for a kingdom's succession. Otah and his sister Idaan are easily the two main players here, and love plays the largest role as thememaster, which is rather surprising since neither character shows themselves to be particularly loving in general even if they are in particular. 
 This is far from a departure from the first novel in the series, carrying through as seamlessly as silk. 
 The magic again proves rather elusive, even if we have a rather interesting IDEA turned FORM playing relatively minor roles throughout. Honestly, I'd have loved to see more of him, but it wasn't to be. 
 On the other hand, if you want a novel full of intrigue, reluctant ascension, and heartbreaking betrayals, then you're in for a treat. 
 The novel is rich in worldbuilding and very close and personal with it's characters. 
 While I liked it better than the first in the series, I found myself not caring quite as much as I felt I ought to. Maybe I'm a sociopath. No one is extremely good or bad. There's a lot of grey area, and that's perfect if you want a complex tapestry without larger than life events. 
 Of course, there are plenty of assassinations and at least a taste of mass-death, but I've been spoiled by fantasies rife with war or huge social upheavals. 
 A taste of what Galt has in store is not really enough, in my opinion, but perhaps it'll all become a huge reveal and a dire event in the future. We shall see.