Although this second trilogy did not resonate with me as profoundly as the first, I found it to be satisfactory overall. McClellan's remarkable character development continues, and the introduction of two new POVs in this trilogy was well-executed. Bravis and Stykes were particularly compelling characters who carried the narrative effectively. While their conclusion could have been more substantial, I thoroughly enjoyed their respective journeys.

However, my enjoyment was somewhat diminished by the treatment of certain characters from the first trilogy. Ka-poel, despite her significance to the plot, felt underutilized and lacked agency. In my opinion, she should have been given more focus and prominence as the primary female protagonist instead of Vlora. While Vlora is not an inherently bad character, she pales in comparison to the depth and intrigue of Ka-poel, Olem, Taniel, Bordador, and Nila. These characters, particularly in the first trilogy, exhibited more relatable and nuanced personalities. Unfortunately, Olem received insufficient attention in this installment, and Taniel's trajectory since "Sins of Empire" has been perplexing and disappointing. Bordador's potential was also underutilized.

Despite these minor criticisms, I genuinely enjoyed immersing myself in this flintlock world once again. I wholeheartedly recommend these books to anyone seeking an engaging and well-crafted fantasy series.