This is the sequel to Master of the five magics. It has a new protagonist and is set in another part of the same world. The main character of the previous book makes a cameo appearance.

I found it frustrating to read. There's a lot of interesting stuff going on, but the protagonist keeps ignoring it in order to ineffectually pursue his own career. Several times his nose is rubbed into the fact that he saw something really weird, and then he starts thinking about it but then he's interrupted and just forgets about it again. I suppose it's a form of tension-building, or simply a plot device for keeping the protagonist (who is allegedly a keen puzzle-solver) from solving the mystery too early, but it didn't work for me.

The main appeal of the previous book, namely the careful revelation of new systems of magic, didn't work well here. Partly because of aforementioned problem, and partly because of inconsistencies—the "sixth magic" didn't actually work as described, with some rules driving the plot in one chapter and then being ignored in another.

There was some interesting scenery and world-building, though.

I'm disappointed but I'll still give the next book (Riddle of the seven realms) a chance. ( )