This book built on the foundations laid by the first one really well. This was heavily character-focused, just like the first one, but I think what made this book better was that there was more of the main characters interacting with each other. 

All of the PoVs were great. I didn't like Ferro at all in the first book, but she was much better in this book. While the Northern chapters were just ok in the first half of the book, I really liked them in the second half.

The worldbuilding was brilliant as well. What better way is there to explore the world than when your characters are going on a journey to the edge of the world? In all seriousness though, all the locations Abercrombie describes are really unique and vivid, and this world continues to grow more intriguing, especially when some lore tidbits are dropped here and there.

This book was a great sequel and just took everything great about the first book and made it even better. A great example of how to write a penultimate book which doesn't just feel like setup for the conclusion.

Probably my biggest concern would be the lack of a really big overarching plot or threat, especially as the final book is up next, but from what I've read and seen, the third book is generally loved, so I'm not that worried.