I loved it, but because it *wasn't* GWTW. Yes, I thoroughly enjoyed the original, but spinning off into a new direction (don't want to give spoilers, but it's not the end of the world to know she ends up in Ireland for a while, is it?) was a good choice. I always wanted to know more about Scarlett's Irish roots and I like how Ripley fleshed them out.

I read GWTW about...oh, 9 years ago or so, which may account for my forgiveness of the sequel compared to some people's hatred. But, when you take this in hand with "Rhett Butler's People" by Donald McCaig (which I read before Scarlett), it all comes together. Maybe that's why I'm so forgiving; I'd already accepted another author's take on Mitchell's work.

Go into it with a clear mind that you're not reading Margaret Mitchell, but you're reading what is quite possibly the best fan fiction ever written. Then go read "Rhett Butler's People" because you'll want more after this.