This novel was a pleasure to read through and through. I especially loved the lilting tone, as well as the laugh-out-loud dialogue she peppers throughout the story. There’s a lot of tension and excitement, and DWJ never hesitates and playing out genuinely distressing–even downright scary–events in the lives of the protagonists. And while many of the characters are larger than life, they are also incredibly warm and lovable. I’m only sad that there isn’t another DWJ story specifically set in Caprona.

Read More.

Ugh I love her. Phryne over all.

I thoroughly enjoyed it for what it is: a thriller with touches of political theory. There are some instances where it's clear that Rabb is an inexperienced writer, but I still enjoyed it regardless.

The multiple premises piled on top of another is challenging, as is the extended series of misunderstandings that require non-stupid characters to overlook basic things far longer than they ought to. But the emotional fallout between the two main characters is devastating, as is the amazing characterization that Sonali Dev gives Mili. I also like how regionalism plays a large part in how the characters interact with each other, overturning the West's flattening of Indian characters as having a singular identity. The angst also lasts for a satisfactory time for me, as a person who scoffs when hurtful actions in romance novels get thrown aside thanks to a grand gesture.