Unfortunately, the story seems to have lost the momentum from the events after the first book. Although the writing was overall good, I felt it could have used a little editing. Some points, especially during introspective stretches of text, seemed heavily belabored, and I found myself thinking, "Get on with it!" I also don't think some of the larger questions about the setting were answered when other, related questions were resolved, and at this point in the series those unanswered (or at least, inadequately answered) questions seem like pretty gaping plot holes. I still intend to read the next book, but I really hope the problems with the pace are rectified, and this second installment ends up having been a bunch of set-up for a very exciting conclusion.