Dark, angsty, gritty - all of the things I like with VK Ludwig's stories. This one just didn't quite keep my attention the way that the first on did. But it definitely does a great job of incorporating plot lines for future books. 

Ludwig's writing and worldbuilding remind me a lot of Elizabeth Stephen's series. (which is probably why I've gotten invested.) I thought I would be moving on after this one, but nope. I got sucked in at the last chapter so now I'm on to Book 3.