This book was definitely better than the first, but I wonder if I think that way because you have all the players down and are more used to the society the story is placed in.This book takes place directly after the last one. While I found the first book to be confusing, this one was better, if only because I knew there were going to be layers and layers of conspiracies. Just when you think you have it down more info comes that changes things. It reminds me of things that happen in today's world. Of course unlike today's world we don't have healers that think the root of a problem can be solved with an intricate sexual ritual involving many people and taking days to complete. I was surprised by this, but even more surprised when it brought the things the healer wanted. I was surprised by these nuggets of info that Sora remembered. I am not sure how much of a bearing they have on the story as they took place in her past. What I am really interested to know is just what her actions at the end with the guards and another guy in the village have. I am also interested to see what happens with the healer.