World building did not move much further from last book. Chris got major part of the book which is fine, if it is her story. But the irrational part is that, a character who had no issues helping with sacrificing a living being (who was naive and good as thaddius whom she tried to protect in this book) in a brutal ritual to gain special abilties in the 1st book had a 180 degree turn of character in this book where everyone (including said almost sacrificial lamb in the first book) fall for her…. charm??? It may be a gray world, not everything is black and white, but to me, she is not so great personality that i want to read/listen about for the major part of the story. It was grating.