What I liked about the first book is still true
I like a sense of place and Abraham's world of Asian inspiration definitely has that. It's also quite well-written (by the standards of genre fiction).
and the dilemma the protagonist faces is complex enough to be interesting but secondary characters really have the limelight in this installment of the quartet and I didn't find them that interesting.

This is an excellent sequel in the story of Otah Machi, with richly conflicted characters and good world-building.

This novel picks up fifteen years after the events in A Shadow in Summer. The only characters that hold over, I believe, are Otah and Maati. And the location has changed, we are now in the northern, snowy city of Machi. The political maneuverings from book one are cranked up to eleven in A Betrayal in Winter. I suppose that goes with the title of book two. Back stabbings and betrayals galore are found in Machi as there is a succession war. The most intriguing part this time around was Idaan and her part in said succession war. She is in the same struggle for power as many other players but as a woman in this society she has no hope for the power herself but rather works to secure it for her husband. As familiar as that story sounds, I found the nuances of her character and situation to be handled remarkably well. They seemed like the main focus of the narrative to me and were certainly the main draw in what kept me interested.

The time leap and change in setting threw me off, this is clearly not a linear story so far. I have no real idea where the next books are going to go but enough set up for book three occurs that I'm fairly confident in what to expect and am excited for it. Now at the half way point of the series I’m getting the sense that some elements won’t quite click until the end.

In this second installment of the Long Price Quartet, we once again find Maati, the failed poet, and Otah Machi, the youngest son of the Khai Machi, with their lives intertwined. It is fifteen years after the end of A Shadow in Summer and Maati is sent by the Dhai-Kvo to investigate the murder of one of the sons of the dying Khai Machi. Traditionally, when a Khai is dying, his sons battle each other for the right of succession and the last one left alive becomes the new Khai. One of the sons is already murdered, two have gone into hiding, and everyone suspects Otah, the outcast son. Maati, who has known Otah for many years, is sent to find him since he knows him well. But things are not as simple as they seem, and political, social, and personal ambitions and intrigues will all come into play before the succession is decided.

This is not standard fantasy fare. There is no strong magic system, with the controlled andat the only real magical element, and Stone-Made-Soft, the andat in this story, is not a main character, as such. The poet who controls him, Cehmai, is more an intimate part of the machinations, as is Otah's youngest sister, Idaan, and her husband-to-be, Adrah. The story revolves around murder, politics, and social hierarchies. There is no central quest to root out evil, and no one character is completely a villain or hero. And that is where the story finds its strength- the characters are so well developed with both good and bad in each one that they become the driving force that compels the plot along. The world is just as complex, with definite East Asian influences. The society is built on formality and rank, and everyone is supposed to know their place. There are a couple twists that keep things interesting, especially when you think you know what's about to happen. The ending is satisfying, if a bit protracted.

It was a good read, though the complexity of the world and character nuances make it a bit slower to read. It was a good second book in the set, with good characters, political and personal gain and loss, and enough action to keep the plot moving.

Maybe I like his books so far because they all show the folly of relationships and love....this one was less convoluted the the previous, but still quite good. Looking forward to the next one.

4.5 stars (but mostly because I believe the last two books in this series will be even better, so I am saving my 5 star ratings lol)

I love these complex characters and their messy relationships, I love this world, I love this writing, I LOVE THIS SERIES!!!

Hot DAYUM. That was some of the most incredible character writing I've read in a book with multiple POVs. Like a tighter, more contained game of thrones with fewer moving pieces (for the better). Watching events unfold in these characters heads was PROFOUND and astoundingly well done. I cannot wait to continue with this series.

When I started this second installment, I was expecting it to somehow disappoint after the five star experience of A Shadow in Summer. But this book continues to build on the deep perspectives of our familiar characters, adding in several new perspectives that expand the slowly changing world that Otah and Maati are attempting to navigate.

The tone of this book stayed consistent with the first, despite the change in environment and story focus. The culture of Otah's homeland comes to vibrant life through a deadly scheme, and once again, we find ourselves gripped in the very center.

I absolutely loved Otah, Maati, and Kiyan in this story. Cehmai was a dynamic new perspective, and the court of the Machi was filled with characters that added to the authentic world Abraham has created in this series.

I absolutely cannot wait to continue.