This book has an inciting mix of fantasy and reality. Like most of Anthony's books the setting in this book is magical and a fantasy. But don't be fooled by its background, for this books has incorporated in it a serious subjects, including love, loss, and the controversial theme of inter-racial relationships. This has many levels and its easy to appreciate all of them with Anthony's once-you-pick-it-up-you-can't-put-it-down style of writing