It's always a little tough to read a sequel years after reading the first one, and this one was definitely tough for me. More than the sequel issues were the overly convenient plot points and t the e underdeveloped machinations behind it all (though I can appreciate the ambition if including those characters). 

It's fine for a young adult or new adult book! I just felt like it tried to do a lot of things and didn't do most of them super well.