Although it did get much better towards the end, my main problem with this novel was that I LOVE Richards, and spent the portions of the book that Richards wasn't in waiting for Richards to come back. So I missed some key bits of information here and there and the book felt a little more disjointed than it probably actually was, or would seem to be if I reread it now. Still, engaging enough that I'm definitely interested in reading the sequel, and not just because this one ended on such a cliffhanger.