This was everything I could ask for. The first book was great but I realize now that it's really just the first act and this is where the series comes into its own. The action, the political intrigue, the plot twists; it's all amazing.

I'm still impressed by how I enjoy reading every pov, every character is amazing. My least favorite pov from last book was one of the best in this book. It's VERY rare to have a fantasy book where you look forward to every single pov but this book does it. This series MIGHT go down as having the most well rounded cast of characters that I've read in fantasy.

I do have issues with it tho. One storyline, set around the siege of a city, felt like it ended a little too early, I understand that it's still kind of going on but it feels like we left too soon. One relationship is weird to me, it seems out of character for one of those involved; it feels forced to me but I have to see how it turns out to truly judge

My complaints are slight and don't get in the way of what is an absolutely incredible book. I would rate it 4.5/5 but that will probably go up after I finish the trilogy. Mr Abercrombie more than delivered.