His band of seven blood mages with the reinforcement of the Knights of the Black Cross keep surviving against the insurmountable odds of an alien magic in an alien land.
Deverra's appearances are brief, and looking over Jervais' shoulders too long makes the reader want to wash their hands.
I was hoping that the increase in the use of magic would add interest, but it all comes down to who has the biggest fireball, and that only amuses for a short time.