I continue to really enjoy this series! In volume three, however, the focus has changed. Amir and Karluk become bit players, as the focus shifts to Mr. Smith and his journey along the Silk Road. He meets a young woman called Talas and becomes (sort of?) engaged to her, but - as with the first two Bride stories - I still can't quite call it a romance. In the earlier volumes, it's because the groom is so young the marriage is really in name only. Here, the two characters are both of an age, but it ends badly. No happy ending, which is what romance usually requires as I understand it. (I rather suspect that future volumes will see the return of Talas. I hope so. I liked her.)

As with the first two books, though, what I really like best here is the cultural and historical information. The chapter where everyone buys food at a market is fascinating, as it gives a sort of potted look at available food and cooking techniques of the time. I can't say that I'd ever think of putting melon in a fried rice dish, but from the looks of it that's what some people did and I suppose it must have tasted good else they wouldn't have done it!