This book was an awesome follow-up to The Fifth Season. Less action-packed, this book goes deeper on the history of the world where the book is set, and goes deeper powers that characters use to control nature (spoilers ahead).

After explaining the life-force that runs through all organic objects, a character refers to the harnessing of this power by an old and ancient name: “magic”. The term is unfamiliar to the other characters.

I thought that introducing the concept of magic this way was a brilliant move by the author. I tend to interpret “magic” as a boring plot crutch for an author that doesn’t have any better ideas, but explaining the mechanics and limitations of the powers first, and then giving it a name, helped return the wonder & mystery to the concept for me.

Another thing I loved about this second book is the growing context that the characters have for their tiny role in a vast history. The ruins of former civilizations did this a bit in the first book, but the presence of ancient beings & forgotten histories really bring color to the story.

I am going to be reading the third book in this trilogy right away! Very excited for the conclusion.