Ahoy there mateys! This be me ninth book in me 19 in 2019 list! So this was the novel that started me foray into the series even though I read it second. It won the Nebula, Locus, and Hugo awards in 2004. When I set out to read it, I didn’t know it was a book two. I am glad I read Chalion first as this book is set three years after that one and features a prior side character. Ye can read this first though there will be spoilers for the first book. I would suggest reading them in publishing order. The main character in this one is a forty-year old noblewoman, Ista, with an atrocious past. This book certainly had more magic than the first book. That was the highlight of this book for me. Well that and watching a woman finally coming into her own power. As Ista grows more self-assured, she begins to allow her true personality shine. I absolutely loved Ista’s burgeoning humor and insight. Also I loved a side character named Liss. This book seemed more action-filled then the first and had a different tone. There also be some great twists. I thought the plot was fantastic and the ending was wonderful. It really was a great second novel.

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