I'm sure no one is surprised when I say that I read this book in one sitting, adore it, and am even now restraining myself from jumping up and down with glee.

"Is this girl ever going to read anything that's not a Tuyo book?" you ask.

Well, yes, probably, because there's only one more currently published Tuyo book. But if there were an infinite number, I have to confess that I might struggle to force myself to ever read any other series.

Anyway, this book is an entry in the "soldier and a woman evading pursuit and causing shenanigans as they travel across the country" subgenre of this series, but it's much more serious in tone than Esau and Keraunani's book. This is partially because the stakes are higher, and partially because Kior and Rihasi, the two POV characters, are more serious people than Esau.

Rihasi is fleeing pursuit and assassination at every turn as she struggles doggedly toward her goal - to reach Lord Aras and lay her petition before him. Kior just took her on as a job, but before long finds himself an inextricable part of her mission, even though it may cost him his own long-held secrets.

The whole thing is great. There's an atmosphere of intrigue as we gradually learn more about both Rihasi and Kior's pasts, and ratcheting up suspense as they race against the clock to reach Lord Aras. There's only one hearing of a capital crime in this book, which is fewer than usual, but it was a pretty good one. I wouldn't have complained about seeing more drama up close, or about seeing Kior's reunion with his family, but to be fair Kior and Rihasi had been through a LOT by that time, so it's probably reasonable to pass lightly over the epilogue matters.

I loved getting to see Aras post-Tasmakat, since there's a LOT we don't yet know. However, many questions remain, most urgently: what is the state of Aras' sorcery now? Did the madness just start over at square one, ready to be triggered again if he uses coercion? I noticed that he did NOT mind-control ANY of the people in the hall of judgment even when it might have been convenient to do so. Or now that he's been judged by the Sun and counseled by whoever that guy was, is the madness no longer a concern?

I will not be fully at ease until I know these things, but I acknowledge that Aras is just a side character in this story. Regardless, it was good to see him back where he belongs, and at harmony with the prince. It was nice to see the prince a little more up close, and meet his daughter!

Overall, an excellent experience characteristic of this whole series. No notes.