OMG! What an amazing improvement from the first book! This was basically my perfect balance in fantasy books! Political heavy realm with science and magic working together and some romance running in the background not yet intertwining with the politics! Such a good ending though I feel the two Queens brought (what I anticipate will happen next) on themselves by being too passive and nice...and what a betrayal?! Oh lordie! I loved all of the new characters introduced. This is definitely a long term designed story and I love it!