This is book two of the Path to Ascendancy series.   Esslemont is overly fond of complexity.  This is not a book or a series you want to take to the beach for light reading.  His plot and characters are Byzantine.

Dancer and Kellanved, the mage formerly known as Wu, are once again surrounded by extraordinary events and characters.

The secretive Surly and her shipwrecked crew are ensconced in a dump of a taproom. Her interaction with Dancer and Kellanved is nothing short of hysterical.  She is mystified by their behavior but discovers associating with them may be beneficial and deadly.

There are mages, monsters, battle royals, elite troops, and haunted houses and ships.  There is a wealth of action and there are so many characters you are grateful for the list in the front of the Book.

I am enjoying the series with intense glee, the complexity is challenging but well worthwhile.   I recommend the book. 

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