I discovered Carol Berg's books last year, and have been pleasantly impressed. I confess that this one started a bit slow for me, after the killer first chapter, and it hung around on the back of my couch until I was sufficiently in the mood to stick with it. Oh, how glad I am. Valen is the most interesting character I think I have ever read, in many ways. Berg took such a huge chance on this rogue, who is unrepentantly selfish yet good-hearted, obsessed with his own survival and yet unable to walk away from friends. He is a drug addict, a deserter, he hates his family, will do anything to maintain his freedom...and yet, when it comes to the sticking point, there is no one better on your side, and his honor comes out intact. I spent a long time after finishing the second book (Breath and Bone) just thinking about the characters and their world. Berg frankly inspired me to take more chances with my own characters.

This is a terrific read, and it gets better and better as the plot starts to roll like a boulder downhill, unstoppable, scary, and unpredictable as to where it will land. Really good fantasy, in a world rich and complex, cruel and yet struggling tooth and nail to hold onto hope. Buy both books together, because otherwise you will be fretting and impatient waiting for the next one to arrive!

The only reason this doesn't get five stars is the somewhat slow patch in the beginning. Stick with it. You'll be glad you did.


I, too, write fantasy. My first book, Firedancer, is out here.