I have read other books by Elizabeth Moon (the Deed of Paksenarrion and Legacy of Gird sets) and absolutely loved them. I really, really wanted to like this book. She creates excellent characters as always, and a very compelling world - TOO compelling for me! I felt utterly trapped by the protagonist's point of view. I tried several times to finish this book, but it was so excruciating that I just could not go on.