Maybe really 3.5. This one is more dark and twisted than the first book. It clears up the Crossing confusion that annoyed me in the first book while creating additional confusion. There are flashbacks (forwards?) to what lead up to the Crossing, and William Tear, the first leader of the Tearling, is introduced.

I wonder if the third book will continue to bounce back and forth between the two time periods. I'm really not that interested in Lily's story although maybe it will get more interesting once they complete the Crossing. I will definitely read the third book because I still want to know who Kelsea's father is. I had a guess but apparently it was wrong. Plus I want to find out how it ends and read about the happily ever after.