I enjoyed this installment much more than the first, which I still liked and gave three stars. It did take a bit for me to get into this, as it's been a couple years now since I read The Bear and the Nightingale, but I think the author did a nice job integrating bits and pieces from the first book in a way that didn't feel like an info-dump to get the reader caught up, and before long I was hooked.

I thought this book did a better job in terms of pacing and story. The first book (from what I remember) was beautiful in atmosphere, setting, and characters, but lacked a little in action and plot. This book still has all of the beauty of the first book, but gives the reader more in terms of action.

I'm really looking forward to finishing the third book, and completing a series that I wasn't sure I would revisit after being a little bored during the first book.