Fantastic, Bujold at top form. A nice fable-like story with a realistically detailed (i.e. not fluffy pseudo-Wiccan nonsense) magical system, a great sense of the historical period, and fully dimensional characters, with a sweet love story to boot.

And it has to be mentioned, it features a young black woman as its heroine! And she KICKS ASS. I can't even think of another historical fantasy book featuring a minority who's not a stereotype/sidekick/exotic-object-of-lust. Kudos to Bujold.

Share/Like this Review?

Bujold is an excellent writer, but I didn't feel the plot was as tight as some of her other works.

Share/Like this Review?

Well written entertaining fantasy.

Share/Like this Review?

This is the first Bujold I've ever read, and while it was slow to start, I really enjoyed it.

Share/Like this Review?

This book was enjoyable light reading. The story was interesting and new.

Share/Like this Review?