So. Boring. I liked the first book, Through a Glass Darkly, well enough. Although the end was a bit of a slog. But this book... it was a little too much of everything: too much Emo Barbara, too much Barbara the magnificent, way too much time devoted to politics, too much being sad and reminiscing from everyone. I just wanted to read the storyline but the author gets bogged down by reflection. Her characters think way too much. At any rate, skimming through much of the book a decent storyline emerges. But this is definitely a one time read and could have used a good edit.