Alas and alack, if Midwinter Nightingale felt underdeveloped, this is sadly undercooked, almost a short story. Nonetheless, Aiken's wit and invention are present on almost every page, just not the energy and not the proper momentum that a book featuring plots about Dido's search for a new heir to the throne and Simon marching to war should have. The conclusion is rushed, but nothing is really left hanging and there are some fine jokes, and the letters from the witch are worth reading all on their own. Maybe only completists will make it this far, and maybe they'll be sad, but hopefully they'll be satisfied, too.