I feel like it was improving at the end of the novel (before the epilogue scene), so by the time TPM came around they'd become close.

I would LOVE to see Pax and Rahara again, they were so interesting and their career choice means they could easily slot in to all sorts of adventures. :D

Fanry was a nice twist indeed, and then there was a double twist (sort of) with Cady thrown in as a bonus.

I concur. Some authors have tried to address the slavery topic and others the Jedi 'cult-like' indoctrination topic, but I haven't found one yet that really tackles either issue satisfactorily. I appreciate that this book acknowledges the issues.