No longer living in Ixia, Yelena has to deal with the discovery of a new family and the hatred of her brother. I was surprised by Leifs dek attitude toward Yelena, as I though him to be nice and funny. Thankfully he isn't a dolt though, or he would've never survived to be apart of the next book (even though he is already in it, I would have found a way to snatch him out). Okay, okay even about her brother. Yelena has big problems listening to the authority in Sitia, which is surprise from her more respectful attitude in Ixia. I truly liked this change in her, as it gave the book an extra spark. As she already has an established connection and love for Valek, you never feel that he has any chance of being replaced by someone else. 
 So there are some new characters: 
 -Cahil (self proclaimed King of) Ixia: Over confident, obnoxious, and ridiculous; my first impressions. After reading more I thought, "well you're scarily determined and a dek" and then "scarily determined, but not so bad". He is a but odd to say the least. I liked him for a little bit, but he reminds me of Ulrick in Storm Glass, so I don't trust him. 
 -Dax Greenblade: I like Dax, he is the new Rand except without the traitor bit. He is quite sarcastic and Yelena always feels better after talking to him... well except for that one time. 
 -Fisk (no last name needed): He is awesome. Without Yelena he wouldn't have started the Helpers Guild, but he has real persistence for a beggar boy. I immediately liked him and ky opinion never changed. 
 -Bain Bloodgood: An intriguing character. He is quite helpful and trusting. I immediately liked him. 
 -Zitoria Cowan: I already had a preconceived notion of her being tough and almost mean. However, at first she seems quite demure and shy, nut she changes to almost wicked and loyal. I also found her a really likable character. 
 I like how everything is connected, and it expands. Everything that was mentioned in the first book is ob this one, adding to the characters and thickening the plot. 
 Yelena was still Yelena: amazing and stupid and daring and completely new while being exactly what you remember. Nobody really knows how to deal with her and her power (especially herself) and I'm looking forward to the next.