Better than the first
921073
Once again, Bernard Cornwell delivers.  His handling of the historic material is responsible, yet invigorating in his capacity to recreate the feeling of the day.  I greatly appreciate the attention Cornwell pays to maintaining the events that have been reported in his sources.  He blends them in to create a seemless tale that moves through history, leaving us with real characters that relate to the reader today.
3890741
Much improved over the first book. Characters are more rounded, the written word is more discrptive and engaging. I enjoyed the rad without being over engaging.
4730202
This book was so much better than the first.  By this point you know a lot more about the characters and why/how they relate to each other the way they do.  This book had some "turn up the air conditioning" sex scenes in it but the main draw for me was the relationship that continues to grow between Eva and Gideon, including the things he does to prove his love to her.  I am really looking forward to the third installment in this series to see how it all gets wrapped up!
3461899
Overall, I like this book better than the first book.  I actually could believe in these characters with all their human foibles.  The beginning of the book was a carry over from the first and I found I did not care for that but once that was over, this second book moved along very nicely.
3897630
I liked crave better than covet. This book held my interest better than the first. I would like to see what happens between these two characters, but each new books seems to focus on new characters.
4046628
Tears running down my legs hysterical.  Better than the first.
1490598
Liked this VERY much. Better than the first one. Couldn't wait to start the third.
3666099
I actually enjoyed this book more than the first.  To be fair, it's probably because all the foundation work had to go into the first volume of this series.  Relieved of that requirement, the reader is allowed to delve directly into the action.

 Our little band of rebels against the establishment are quite tight and relaxing into the peace they worked so hard to bring to the kingdom of Tahaerin.  No one gave any thought of an invasion from the sea on their western border.  This annoyed me at first because it seems contrived as a plot point rather than what would really occur, but it becomes a minor detail quickly enough.  The forces that descend on Tahaerin are vicious and overwhelming.  Their focus is to destroy Leisha so terribly and publicly that the invaders have no doubt that they will subjugate the entire kingdom easily.  Obviously, the invaders know nothing of the young queen's determination to preserve her people.

I came to care about the characters of the first book even more after reading this one.  Leisha's little posse continues to grow and I loved the new additions as well.  There is much more adventure and intrigue, and less romance in this volume than the first.  Yet it has it all.  I highly recommend it to those who like those features in their stories.
4254246
I liked both books but this sequel is better in my opinion than the first in the series. I usually like the first book better in any series generally, so the fact that this series is reversed for me is interesting.  It means the IMHO that the author is getting better in the writing and not just creating books to "fill-in" a series.

Loved it!!!
1003832
I cannot wait for the third book after reading this. I liked this book better than the first one. Good read!!!
3399430
I loved the first book and wasn't sure how the second book would be. I ended up enjoying this book even more than the first, although it did take me a little while to keep track of the characters. Otherwise, it was enjoyable and a book that I would read again.
458568
I like this story better than the first one.  Perhaps because I knew more about what to expect going in.
4437942
This is the second in the series. I was very curious to see where it went and was pleased to find I actually liked it better than the first. All of my favorite characters were back along with some great new ones. Can't wait for number 3.
150275
I didn't think I could possibly like a second Rowen and Ella adventure better than the first one but I think I did. Though the first one left me more on the edge of my seat, this one I think gave more depth to the characters. You got to know them better and felt that they were more fleshed out than in the other book. Not that the first book wasn't excellent in its own right because it was, I just feel this book did a really great job of letting you see a deeper side to them. And don't think for a second that you aren't going to have tons of action and adventure because after all we are talking about Rowen and Ella here so how could there not be? Journey To The Lost Tomb was a perfect follow up.
45706
Personally, I liked this book WAY better than the first one, although it did delve into a more noticeable form of "teen-chick-lit" (there are THREE romantic interests in this one O_o). The story is overall MUCH better than "Marked" though. There is less insane and uneven internal dialogue, and her interaction with the other characters have a much more interesting twist. Another plus for the book is that it was able to elicit a powerful response from me around page 220. I always like when books can stir me emotionally.

Sadly for the series, anyone who couldn't trouble themselves with the first book (and although I liked it, I completely understand why they wouldn't be able to get through it) will never know that this book is better than the first.
4941550
Much better than the first book in the series, more cohesive and less crowded story-wise.  The characters are starting to grow on me and I am starting to care about them.  The writing is a little stilted with abrupt stops sometimes, but it is a better read.  On to #3.
3425040
I think that this was even better than the first one. There were some amazing plot and character twists, and the story was better before. I can't wait for the next book (as with everything Brandon writes.)