This book was worth reading. There were elements I loved - the slight skewing of fairy tale, and the contrast between the modern world and the ancient world makes for unlimited writing fodder. As always, Card's use of enchantment and sorcery is charming. The anthropologist in me loved the discovery of ancient language and early writing. The story was definitely good.

What I didn't like is that in many areas it read like a romance novel. The are sections of the book where the constant inner dialog of the angst of love was quite wearisome. She despises me... Can I ever love him... blah, blah, blah. It got old fast. It's why I don't read romances.

Again, perhaps the editor should have been more involved. The novel would be better with some judicious cuts. But still, worth the read.