Al Nofi in "Amra", observing that the book "has neither characters nor plot line in common with the earlier pair" of Novarian novels, finds this "a very good move on Mr. de Camp's part; it saves the work needed to construct a credible ethos yet gives the author an opportunity to work with new characters and situations." Noting that "Mr. de Camp, of course, has been doing unusual things with his swords and sorcery for years," he calls the demon Zdim Akh's son "a most unusual hero indeed," "one of de Camp's best heroes yet; to me, he seems more human, even, than the hordes of breech-clothed, shaggy-haired giants with names all ending in "-ar" who romp through countless S & S sagas. All in all, this is a fine book."