While the *idea* behind the book is pretty good, the execution is horrid. The point if view constantly alternates beween 1st, 2nd, and 3rd person. At any given point in the book, the choice of persepctive tend to be inappropriate to the content, so that the story is "told" rather than "shown."
The author also assumes that you have read "The Crystal Prophecy" as it references situations and characters that are never actually introduced in this second book. Given that the cover or title page never states anywhere that this is a sequel and gives every indication of being a stand alone book, the realization that you'd need to read the first book to understand some of the events is rather annoying.
Worst of all is the characterization. The main characters (Drew, Chrysana, Orsin - the main villain, Harden -The Lord High Governor and Chrysana's father, Merot - Chrysana's handmaid) are very flat; the reader can predict exactly how a situation will unveil as the characters dont grow, change, or seem open to viewpoints other than their own. However, the minor characters (Janssen - a guard, Susan - Drews sister, Corinne - a healer, and Collis - a wicked witch) seem much more vibrant and human. The reader quickly grows to like these characters because they seem real, as opposed to the cardboard cutouts of the main characters. ( )