The second of the series, Whiskey and Water is just as expected after reading Blood And Iron. Compelling, intricate and a slow, careful read that will still occasionally leave you going, "wait, what just happened there?". 
 Everything I said for the first of the series still applies. It really is an amazingly well crafted novel considering the density of the story, and Bear uses the old legends well, throwing enough twists at you to keep it interesting while giving the reader firm ground to stand on. 
 Im told the next two in the series are slightly lighter, easier reads, and I do admit to feeling slightly relieved at that. I'm enjoying the setting well enough to continue, but the heaviness of it is rather slowing down even my insanely fast reading habits.