Everything improved in this novel from the last! The most marked improvement was the pacing - you get dropped right into the story here and everything whizzes right ahead. I usually read over mealtimes or on the commute, but I ended up devouring the last ~350 pages in one sitting because I couldn't help myself. 
 The Tearling world proves ever more fascinating, the politics nuanced, and the characters richly developed. I also liked that there were several new characters in this one to show us a bit more of the world, while also continuing the development of some old faves. The suite of characters makes every scene very believable and totally engrossing. It is so refreshing, especially when reflecting on other novels that have barely six main characters, with next to none of the depth or development that we see here in dozens. 
 This proved the potential of the first novel, and I can't wait for the last instalment!