slow and intricate - but captivating
It took me a horrifically long time to finish this book, and not because I didn't like it! The author leaves absolutely nothing unexplored. Postively everything that goes on in that castle is recorded in extreme detail. The pace is maddeningly slow, but surprisingly, all those little details are delicious. I was fascinated by all the characters, particularly the king and his batty companion Havelock. You spend much of the book trying to figure out everyone's motives, and just exactly whom is allied with whom. The magic of this book is done entirely through glass, which was unusual and refreshing but lost me in some of the technical explanations. Geraden is a thoroughly likable character, though Terisa's continual passivity will make you want to slap her around a bit. Very complex but well worth the time. Be sure to get the sequel.