I haven't read the first book and didn't realize this was a sequel until looking at other first impressions. It would be nicer if this were advertised here as part of an ongoing series, as my expectations would have been mitigated. As it is, the book was a bit confusing, though I could probably slog through it and 'get' things after awhile. High fantasy isn't my thing, though, so while I enjoyed the snarky high-low blended tone of the writing, the plot itself didn't draw me in.