As likeable as the first one, which is mostly due I think to the main character. I'm glad that Pierce has subverted the "not like other girls" trope here, by making the tomboy Alanna, as she ages, increasingly interested in the traditionally feminine while still retaining her ambition of becoming a knight. "I like pretty things," she states, off to get herself fitted for a dress, and why shouldn't she? I'm also pleased to read that the secret's out, regarding her disguise, as although one or two of the brighter characters figured out what was going on, I can't help but question the intelligence of the rest. Mostly I'm interested to see where the rest of the series is going from here. After the first volume, I'd assumed that Duke Roger was going to be the sustained antagonist of the series, but clearly not. I suppose that, now Alanna's a knight, she's expected to deal with a variety of evils, instead of one as representative of all, but it was all wrapped up very quickly... and my kingdom for a YA heroine who's not entangled in a love triangle.