This is a slow burning and character driven book so if you expect battles and action since the first pages this is not the right book.
I found it fascinating and Tanya Huff delivers a novel that kept me turning pages even when I was wondering if something was going to happen.
It's a classic fantasy but I was fascinated by the unknown and how the characters related to the people who live next to the Broken Lands.
You can see the Broken Lands history as an allegory of the risk of science and power or you can enjoy the story and the world building.
This book features one of the most hateful characters I've in some time: Lyelee the scholar someone who could be a perfect villain but you're not sure if she's just impatient or someone who is not empathic at all.
I love Tanya Huff's books and even if this is not my favorite I enjoyed it.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine