I consume a lot of fantasy and consider myself a thoughtful, discerning reader, so it came as a bit of a surprise to me that I had previously failed to appreciate just how prevalent in the genre is the convenient disposable character. This is perhaps the first book I've read, among years of fantasy reading, where the protagonist does not consider her own successful escape and happy ending to be worth another person's life. Shocking concept!



As with most fantasy, there is a quest with overwhelming obstacles and it takes the main character significant cleverness to find ways out of impossible situations. Where this books takes a drastic turn is in holding to Actual Morals. Yes, things are dire, yes, they are life-and-death, and yes, it's a major miracle that suddenly there is a solution. Except that the solution requires disposing of one of the disposables and that's just not worth the price. So the protagonist chooses to shoulder the consequences and protect the lives of her enemies.



It is amazing what it does for a novel to have that kind of spine. The actions and the emotions are so much more vital because there are absolute boundaries to what is possible and, no, the truth and rules of engagement cannot stretch to accommodate whatever is convenient. The story is vivid, believable and flows. The world is crystal clear before my eyes. The characters, too, are believable and grounded, compete with their conflicting motivations and imperfect information and judgment. I also really love that Hitomi has a bone-deep rejection of prejudices and an instinctive respect for different cultures. It's a pleasure reading through her lens, not only because she is a wonderful character, excellently written, but because I actually respect her and all her motivations and decisions. I can say the same for several other major characters.



The plot is creative and suspenseful. Very creative. I could not even try to predict the outcomes of the many many dilemmas that could have each been the central tangle in many novels but, here, were one of many. I love that Hitomi is not a quitter or a whiner. Her reaction to being at the end of the line is: ok, let's see what can be done here - I'm not done until I'm done.



I very purposefully did not let myself re-read Sunbolt, so I could let this book stand on it's own in my mind and it absolutely did that - stand strongly on it's own. History from the first book is woven into this one organically and elegantly. Having said that, I'm going to run off to re-read Sunbolt right now because I doubt Intisar can finish Book 3 by tomorrow and I need more! It's too good a story and I want to live in it a bit longer.



(I received an early review copy from the author in return for an honest review. This has not in any way influenced my review. I've bought the book, too.)