I'm disappointed with this book. I really enjoyed the first one and thought the world that was introduced to the reader was interesting and compelling, but this book just did not live up to the promises of the characterization that the first one did. Mokoya's motivation (protecting Rider) did not seem believable. We are given less than 40 pages with Rider before we're supposed to believe

Mokoya is willing to die for them.

While I enjoyed the deeper exploration of the magic system, I found myself ranging from irritating to incredulous at the characters and and their motivations.