Surprise religion!
Not in a bad way and we all know how I feel about faith in fantasy, right? It was definitely an odd shift to go from "Pantheon" and mythology to a robust faith system with worship and different deities...and like WAY less sex.
I have no complaints, actually, but then again. I'm always fascinated when romance takes on repentance. And this book is VERY interested in repentance and what it looks like to forgive and be forgiven (and not). Derr's penitent's path and Rambam's teshuva process have a lot to say to each other.
The relationship between faith and forgiveness in this book and the way that the former is what makes the latter possible; faith is the thing that allows characters to believe in their own value and a meaning to their lives once they've hit rock bottom. Which is a little AA, but the rock bottom doesn't seem to be inherent. Just how it happens.
I don't...love the final scene, but I get what she's doing.
Also, five for five on "this person is wonderful and I dare not say anything for I am not worthy". Not that anyone is counting :)