Just as good, if not better, than Book #1.
I have to say that I love how the heroines in these books don't go all doe eyed and lose all sense of self around their mates. Maggie remains strong and determined throughout and I definitely sensed that Roth, whilst not willing to meet half way, certainly made allowances for Mags, given her unfamiliarity with their way of life. As the story unfolded he also appeared to grow in tolerance as well as try to appreciate Maggie's perspective.
I read this back to back with the first book, and am really happy to be able to say that it is very much it's own story and that Roth and Mags each had well developed personalities, distinct from other's in the series. The fact that it didn't rehash a chunk of the previous book, and any overlap was either from a new perspective or, more commonly, of events not previously experienced. I had wondered if the author would have all the stories running concurrently, which can soon lose it's appeal, but from this book it appears that each book will both move the story arc along as well as the overall time line.
His by Command
is a great read, and a little longer than most other 'alien romance' books I've come across. It has good world building and a detailed plot that goes much further than capture, spank, submit! I'd go as far as to say that the submit part is never totally achieved nor, for a power-exchange story, are their really all that many punishments. Which is great as sometimes they end up distracting from the story whereas these ones enhance it. Instead time is devoted to allowing us to connect with the main characters and to believe in their relationship.
I'm definitely up for reading book #3 and very much recommend this series.