thanks. The Kirya part especially was difficult to write besides that the novel is wrapped around that subplot, I also just wanted to try to portray the reality of what many have suffered.

thank you for your comments. I appreciate especially your comments about characterization; I am trying to show a range of human behavior, and I can never entirely be sure I am succeeding.

Balancing pacing vs. complexity is always a struggle for me. I’m always working on it!

I’d be interested in hearing what you felt were the less relevant parts.

Without resorting to spoilers, Kirya’s story was heartbreaking. I was reading it before my husband and I had to leave for the train, and when he tapped me on the arm to come, get up, I was literally trembling.

Culturally, I love delving into the Hundred - it’s such a skillful amalgam of Earth history, magic and newness that I can’t assume behavioural cornerstones as I could, say, when reading a story based on feudal Europe. It’s refreshingly, well…refreshing.

Plus and also? Giant eagles rock.

There are some scenes that provoke disgust, pain, pure hatred and a very wide array of human emotions. All the characters are extremely well created, they have a realistic depth, even hidden aspects to their personalities that we will probably not see in the story. Many characters are lovable, others are not. Even the attractive ones can become repulsive in later books and vice versa.

The changing nature of those people based on their interactions is the winning formula here. Also, the mystery aura surrounding some of the characters.

Another interesting aspect, is how the human psyche is treated. From the darkest most animalistic nature of mankind to the noble and self-sacrificing one. Some people are pitch black others are white, yet others are a varying shades of gray.

To sum it up, this a very excellent series. Even if it does have a deadly slow pace in some of the less relevant parts.

At least your conversation will still be here for me to get more out of later on.