** spoiler alert ** Masterful. The authors further expand the world established in Dragon Wing, introducing the reader to elves of the Tribus Empire and new factions such as the Brotherhood of the Hand (assassins guild), Kenkari (spiritual elves), and the Unseen (death squad of the elven emperor). Each of these factions have significant histories and multiple agendas, and their introduction only makes the world that much richer of an experience.

It's clear to me that this must have been where Weis or Hickman built this universe from. It is so much more complete and fleshed out than any of the other books. The history is deeper (there are more footnotes in the two books set on Arianus than any other), the characters more complex, and the plotting is taut and barrels on at a breathless pace.

As Haplo continues to become more "good," he still remains a badass (one of the final scenes in the elven dragonship is an example). But, more to my liking, we have a return of Hugh the Hand, who is probably the best character in whole series. Despite being an unmagical "mensch," all who meet him - demigod, wizard, or ordinary person - accord him respect. I would take a series built around him; he's one of the best characters Weis & Hickman have ever created (unfortunately, I don't think the series ends on a note that will ever allow that).