This is a definite middle book to the series, deliberately plot building material, recuperating some of what was lost in the first book, though not everything (she's still a Captain without a ship, without a crew), and adding more content and characters that will be further explored in future instalments (the Blades are a fun group, and nice to have some gender mixed relationships forming). Not a tonne of action happens in this one, though near the end, everything that does happen (blowing things up, returning to the sea) seems to happen all at once. For readers who enjoy more than action adventure, there is a bit of political conflict building behind the scenes, even if we never see the dreaded enemy once in these pages. 
 
Ramping up for the big finale…