I Like most of JAK's books, but I was very disappointed in this one. I found the male-female medieval stereotypes annoying, and the fantasy plot and characters not good enough to counteract it. Usually one can count on JAK for some witty quips in even the more banal of her books, and this one didn't even have this. This is an older novel apparently, and it shows. My advice is to re-read one of the Arcane series instead - you will be much happier.