I really liked The March North. However, this sort-of-sequel I really didn't.
The main problem was the undynamic plot. This is a book, where there's hardly any conflict; it is just about sorcerous apprentices working on various projects. The worldbuilding is kind of interesting, but it is so obtuse that often it was a chore to keep reading.
The lack of plot tied to the second problem: the stream-of-consciousness writing style. I couldn't help but hear the rambling back-and-forth style "it's this, not this, something else" mannerisms in the voice of Donald Trump in my head. I'm not sure if March North was written in the same style. Maybe it was, but I could ignore it because I was really interested in what was going on.
The very end was kind of interesting and the world is still really unique, and I approve of what the author is trying to …