The fifth book in Michelle Sagara/West‘s Sun Sword series was allegedly supposed to be the last, if the foreword can be believed. Curiously though it does not come across as the first half of a whole or as something unnaturally extended. It’s remarkably self-contained in its momentum and makes the long, long lead-up worth the time spent.
The follow-up, however, isn’t anywhere near as good. It barely even feels related. There’s a disjointedness about it along with a lack of decisiveness… rather than being concluded, events merely feel delayed. It’s very anti-climatic in practically all ways.
Well, here’s hoping the rest of the House War series makes something of it.