A followup to Fortune's Lament, the writing style can be seen to improve generously, and, of course, the setting, timewise and in regards to politics, is rich and with a lot of potential. The premise of this series is why I picked up Merchant's Inquiry in the first place; it's not one covered often (to my knowledge) in English-language literature, and, as a Muslim woman with a penchant for history myself, I was excited to take this up.

To an extent, the premise and era are done justice in this second novel of the series' latest duology, I would argue there are some plotholes/setting-based inconsistencies that start from the Fortune's Lament and, due to their tie-ins with each other, carry over to Merchant's Inquiry. Some I will restrain from mentioning here, since this is a review of Merchant's Inquiry, and not of Fortune's Lament. What I will mention is the tone in which the Muslims are written; understandably, since the novel has alternative points of view, flitting between different characters, some of them Muslim, some of them Christian, with the Muslims and Christians on opposing lines and regarding each other as enemies - it makes sense, when referring to the Muslims, that the Christians look upon them unfavorably. However, from time to time, the Muslims themselves are written in ways that show the characters look at their own just as unfavorably. I further understand that there are factions and politics and divisions strife between the Muslims themselves, and this, too is in line with the politics of the novel. It's complex, and overall, not badly done.

Perhaps this is a tad personal then, as a Muslim wanting to see more nuance and understanding and sensitivity dealt to the Muslim side of the novel where the Muslims are interacting with each other (and facing a common enemy) - but the schism between the Muslims are more disparaging than they had to be. The divides and attitudes amongst the Muslims did not seem to be as rooted in the sophistication of politics and power as they could have been, instead focused on cruder measures and means that are not necessarily accurate to history. Usually I would take artistic license and engage with suspension of disbelief, but - this book held personal intrigue and charm to me, and I felt a little personally let down.

That aside, though, it was an easy read, although at times with great attention to detail not too necessary for the story. Individual character arcs, dynamics in the romance, and general plot, on the other hand, are the elements of the novel I found myself enjoying and appreciating.