apparently, the reviews seem to be in agreement about this being better than ship of magic... I was absolutely in love with ship of magic although it clearly was a huge and long setup, but RH makes me love setups as much as adventures. I'm scared: how much better can this one be? What I expect/want: - I want the Paragon to sail. He deserves happiness. Someone help him out of his depression (someone is Amber) - case in point: MORE AMBER - Althea and Brash's angsty will-they-won't-they, now with Grag Tenira as romantic rival for Brash... all of that and more, yes please - Althea finally getting to be an actual FEMALE SAILOR instead of hiding as a man! (I liked the "hiding as a man" plot, but I want her to feel realised and proud of herself and safe) - more Ophelia?? - Look I still like Kennit okay? He's an horrible person but he's a very entertaining character and I stand by this. I want to see him being his usual horrible self and get away with it a little more - I suspect (might be wrong) that Wintrow will be The One Person who actually sees how much of an asshole Kennit actually is, and I hope I'm right because it would be entertaining - more misfortune will befall Wintrow, judging from the first book - I'm hatefully interested in Kyle's fate. I expect it to be miserable but I lowkey hope for a redemption arc? after all RH is nothing but good at giving me a character, making me hate him, and then showing me that he's not that bad after all, maybe, and sometimes even makes me love him. God, I hope I don't end up loving Kyle. *shivers* - MALTA CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT I'M BEGGING YOU RH. She's annoying and shallow but she's smart. She just uses her smarts in all the most stupid ways. But at the same time: she's THIRTEEN she is allowed to be foolish... I just hope she gets a grip before she messes up badly. - Reyn being charming as fuck because honestly I would have started an accidental courtiship with him, too (I hope I will reread this at the end of the book and laugh rather than cry)