I picked up this book on a whim and I'm so glad I did! As a lifelong reader of SciFi-Fantasy I find it difficult to find a writer with a "fresh" plot and Anne Bishop deals it out in spades. Not too many writers can haul out the old female-dominated world plot and make it seem new.The heroes are lovable, multi-dimensional and strong (I'd give anything to meet Lucivar in a dark alley). I hope Ms Bishop continues to write in this world for years to come.I will add that these books are not for everyone, they are very dark with a lot of deviant sex and may offend some.