I enjoyed this novel of Historical Fiction. The author does a very good job of not only creating a vivid landscape of Key West and Havana just after the Civil War but shows the tensions and challenges that the end of the war brought. I had not read the previous book but I did not feel lost. as this novel stands on its own just fine. The characters have emotion and you get attached to some of their struggles. The only bone of contention for me was the ending, as it seemed to try to wrap too many things up and was almost "too convenient" I liken it to the end of "Huckleberry Finn" that seemed to conclude all issues quickly and neatly. Overall well worth a read!