High fantasy novellas can be a tricky thing to get right. The sub-genre is after all also known as epic fantasy: books are usually long and frequently part of series. Writing a 164 page high fantasy novella which has an engaging plot, interesting characters and effective worldbuilding is quite the challenge - and Kate Elliot rises to it. Moreover, the book didn't even feel particularly fast paced. 

It's true and inevitable that in comparison to 800 page epics, the worldbuilding feels light on detail. The world is drawn in broad strokes, with hints of intriguing aspects that are never fully developed. What we get though is interesting and I really hope that Elliott is planning for a sequel or another book set in this universe. 

I went into this knowing very little about the plot, and I think that was the right approach because it is so short. I highly recommend this book.