I didn't think there was much to do in the sequel, having basically overturned the entire city in the first one, but turns out a few years later there's more massive upheavals to come. Characters are just as great as the first one, have aged well, no continuity errors. This book is great. :)
-Lyrael
Decent romance story. By which I mean: I didn't hate the male lead and the plot of their romance was not based entirely on avoidable misunderstandings.
The attention to detail and level of research with regards to the music and the composers in this is quite phenomenal.
Old-fashioned gender roles and sexism abound, but no more than was really required for historical realism and it wasn't present in the narrative voice itself. If you can stomach that I'd say this is well worth a read. :)
-Lyrael