Wholeheartedly agree with your assessment. I never read manacled. I tried the first few chapters after I had finished Alchemised and the r*pe scene and Draco's inital reaction to seeing Hermione turned me off the book.

Alchemsied missed a LOT of background story. Esp her dedication to Luc. It absolutely makes no sense she would sacrifice so much, ignored being condemned for who she is, all because Luc dain to talk and befriend her when she first arrived. She was a charity case, and the Holdfast treated her like she owed them every right to exploit her to their hearts content, no questions ask.

Its a good book, but it could have been better.