Undead

Well now, I guess all the personalities and separate plot lines came together to bear fruit in book 2. I actually didn't realise that this book crosses the Year of the Blue Fire - the Realms-wide Spellplague event.

The conflict that started in book 1 was now 10 years ago, and Thay is a nation torn apart by civil war. You are still following the same characters and you see through their eyes, actions, and reflections on how the war has changed them and the land around them.

I'd say this was portrayed very well, and you start getting attached to these characters - even the zulkirs and their quirks. By far, Malark and Aoth got a lot more interesting, while Bareris got better (didn't quite like him in book 1) - although that bit with Tammith felt a bit odd and forced.

The descriptions of the war and the action was done well, and I found the pacing to be good.

Lore-wise, it was pretty good - portraying the after effects of the death of the goddess Mystra in a deadly, mysterious, and very much land-altering event.

Book 2 is definitely an intermediate book, as it's not enough to stand on its own. Definitely looking forward to book 3.