I liked the history, the alchemy, the esoteric stuff.
I liked the opening third that told the story of Pierce's childhood.
I liked the writing, the prose, the imagery.

I didn't like Pierce's character as an adult.
I especially didn't like that he invented an imaginary son and fantasised about sexual intimacy with said imaginary son.

I will admit I skim read the last few chapters because I knew the book was coming to an end and there had to be some great hook to get you to read the next one. Unfortunately there wasn't. It felt like an abrupt and unsatisfactory ending. I read this immediately after the first book and I am now going to take a long break and read something else before I tackle the third.