I am so bummed, because I was so looking forward to this book. But it was so slow. And lacked forward momentum for me. It didn't my help that Etta and Nicholas were separated for most of the book, when their relationship provided some of the best moments of the first. 
 I just didn't feel the urgency here. And even the traveling lacked the magic of discovery for these different periods. Add in some convoluted mythology in addition to the families and it was a little lackluster. 
 I think some solid editing to tighten everything up would have made a big difference. No characters were really given a solid chance to shine, though they had all the potential.