A book that depends on the revelation of a big mystery: "So-and-so was such-and-such all along!" has a problem, and that problem is what to do for the sequel. This book manages quite handily, though, by delving deeper into the secrets.

This is also a "spotlight episode," a structure I would not have thought would work in a book series, but there you go. Although it keeps the format of jumping between a large cast of characters, the action is undeniably centred around Ronan. I have to admit, I was not a fan of him in the first book because he seemed like the designated 'bad' boy in a boy band, but I was utterly won over in The Dream Thieves, despite the fact that much of his characterization is his Tragic Past.

(Ronan's past is pretty bad. At one point, I wondered, "Can Ronan's life be retroactively made worse?" and then I realized that of course it could, because there were still 150 pages left.)

We also meet Gansey's family, and they are I think, exactly who they would have to be. The scene where they manoeuvre Adam into accepting a gift without him realizing it is beautiful, and shows you where Gansey gets it.

It is palpably a 'middle book', a book that serves the purpose of getting the pieces into place for the bigger events to come, but quite enjoyable.