Christa M. (Xa) reviewed on 9/6/2006 + 76 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 3

A much better idea than a finished work. Some of the writing was anachronistic and amatuerish, but overall not too bad. My biggest qualms were the world, the characters, and especially the romance between Yelena and Valek.

I found the government of Ixia appalling. We are told that before the 'Commander' led a revolt against a corrupt monarchy that it was worse, and that he is supposedly a fair and uncorrupt, if merciless leader, but with his forcing the entire population of his country into military-style uniforms and assigning everyone a job to which they are suited, he strikes me as the kind of fanatical idealogue leader that always wind up being the most dangerous, and Valek is fanatically devoted to him, and a cold-blooded killer besides. And Yelena is just a little off somehow- too spirited for someone who supposedly suffered what she has, and her falling for Valek is more like Stockholm Syndrome than romantic.

I will read the sequel in hopes of this world improving, I think, but I don't know that I'll buy it.

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