This is the third series I've read of Jones, as I've read the first installments in the Howl and Crestomanci series, and I think my enjoyment of it falls somewhere between the middle of those two. Nothing will really top Howl, and the setup of this story was a bit more interesting than the first Crestomanci books. The implications of a mogul from our world taking an entire fantasy world hostage each year just to make big money off tourism is somewhat dark when you think about it, though Jones puts a lighter spin on it, and comes off as a fantasy Jurassic Park only with sentient people and beings. I think I would have liked a deeper story on the ethics of that plot point, but the story itself is fine for what it is. 

I have to say, Derk was probably my favorite character in the story. Here's a man who isn't a shining example of a wizard who would much rather spend his days with his family and animal creations, some of which he treats like his own children, and he gets picked to be the big bad of the tour for that year.  Probably in the top ten of great fantasy dads. It was neat to see all the buildup to the actual tours and all that goes into them, but it takes up a significant part of the story, more than half of it. It all culminates in a rushed third act where so much happens in the last couple of chapters you feel a bit of whiplash. But I won't fault the book too much for that, as it does have a satisfying ending which lends itself naturally to a sequel that I definitely will be checking out.