I did like this one better than the last one, but not by much. I don't know. I feel like it takes too long for things to happen--the books get longer and longer, and yet it still feels like it's taking soooo much time for Carmody to move the story along. And I miss the characters I've grown to actually care about--Elspeth spent the vast majority of the book away from everyone that matters to me: Dameon, Rushton, Dragon... As far as I know, there is only one more book in the series, and I'm certainly ready to get to the end, but at the same time, I find I barely care what happens anymore as I've been so bored with the getting there. At first I felt bitter about the fourth book going so far downhill, but now I almost feel more bitter about the third book being so good and setting me up for such disappointment! Hopefully the next one makes it all worth it somehow. But I have my doubts. :(

P.S. Well, crap. Looks like there are actually three more books, not just one. I wonder if I'll make it through...