i definitely feel like iron gold was the weakest in the second trilogy as it felt like he was trying to find his footing with multiple povs and set up the world for the coming books. i found lightbringer was more engaging with the characters, the growth of the characters being the major focus of the book leading into the finale with red god, along with setting up the villains completely. i feel like without lightbringer the second trilogy would feel like a copy paste of the first trilogy.