Kim M. (Eucalia) reviewed on 2/21/2009 + 52 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 4

This is a fantasy novel but there is no magic, there are no mythical creatures, and there is no quest. In fact there aren't really even any heroes or villains. Needless to say, this isn't your typical fantasy novel. The setting is somewhat low-tech--there is no electricity, but otherwise the engineering of the day has worked marvels. One of the world's top engineers has broken a law--a minor infraction really, but still punishable by death. For love of his wife and daughter, he does not submit to the punishment, but instead flees to a poor neighboring country where he can put his engineering skills to use. In an attempt to extradite him and to ensure their engineering secrets aren't leaked, war is waged on a massive scale. Meanwhile, what's this relationship going on between the duke of a third country and the duchess of the poor country? Will the third country become embroiled in the war? This a great story filled with love, friendship, loyalty, betrayal, treason, secrets, machinations and epic battles. The pace could've been a little quicker, but for the most part I loved it. When I finished reading this I wanted to start reading the sequel without pause.

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