As engrossing as the first
I didn't care for Hiro or the post-modern slum deviation from the medievil theme, then again, it does make the genere a little more unique. The plot/storyline is great, and the characters tug at you. If you didn't come out and tell us that the Spades are the bad guys in between scenes, I just might have found myself rooting for Equity.
The card system doesn't sit right with me. It feels like a waste of time walking back and forth fighting things for the sole purpose of changing out cards until I'm ready to move on, but it's not an option to just forget about it. The cards you have matter too much.