I'm not a big fan of fantasy, and when I started this one, I was nervous that I would struggle through it. Once past the first two chapters, however, the book drew me in.

The main characters are drawn into a familiar struggle, duty to family and country. The hero is an army officer struggling with his self doubt, the heroine young and inexperienced, sent to ferret out a spy. Their obstacles, including the arranged marriage, are believable, and the relationship develops at a very realistic pace. The detail with which Ms. McCrady describes her world is woven seamlessly into the story, bringing the land and its people to life on the page.

I very much enjoyed the story and would highly recommend it.