A Dance of Blades

This book was a much better read than the first. I feel as though the first book allowed the author to stretch his writing muscles in preparation for Dance of Blades.
We have a much more rounded character with Haern, and the immaturity seen in the previous book is gone, as this one takes place 5 years later. I do have to admit that some of his fight scenes confused me and I had to read them over several times to form a clear picture in my mind. I did like the originality behind some of his moves, it wasn't simply trading sword blows and his cloak dance was impressive.
Switching between different character's point of view also ran much smoother in this book and the reader is given less to bounce between.
All together this was gritty, dark and fast paced, just like I enjoy my books though some of the gore seemed a bit too forced. The ending of this novel and the secrets that are spoken of leave me eager to find out what happens next.