The Consuming Fire

Overall: An enjoyable read with some interesting ideas, let down by a couple of annoying characters - yet still a big improvement on Book 1.

Book 1 managed to just scrape into ★★★”Liked it” territory...just. The two big problems were:
1. Some really annoying main characters (Lagos and Nohamapetan).
2. Being utterly predictable. The “Surprises” were preceded by flashing neon signs.

Book 2 had some pretty neat twists, I did not forsee the trip to Dalasýsla, or that the Rupture was artificial. and some proper SF “idea” moments, meeting the Dalasýslans and having chats with Chenevert was pretty cool. Watching Cardenia learn the ropes was good, but I really would have loved a lot more time with her as she grew in her role.

On the downside Ms Nohamapetan continues to twirl her metaphorical evil mustache and Lagos continues to bore me senseless with her endless use of the F word and minimal character development.

So a huge improvement from book 1, but it could have been so much better.