The Broken Kingdoms was written well.  Lots of startling imagery and locations.  For a blind woman Oree gets around very easily and describes things well.  I enjoyed the story and was about ¼ way through before making the connection to the first book in the series.  The comedy cracked me up.  Book has lots of sad parts about loneliness and forgiveness.  I really felt bad for Shiny (still laughing about that name).  NKJ writes a good intricate story.