I just finished this book in one great gulp over the last 24 hours (in between the minding of my three children, two nieces, making a batch of cookies and some home made pizza etc etc). It was fantastic. McKinley is a master of fantasy writing - the characters never felt forced, I believed in her magic and the world she created for me. Harry is an exceptional heroine - I always love following the path of a predestined heroine, watching them learn and grow into their strengths. She was an interesting mix of characteristics from the two worlds she bridged between and the climax (don't want to spoil it for you) seemed to fit her ability to fill in the spaces between two diverse peoples. I was glad I had already read The Hero and the Crown, so the history of this world was familiar territory to me.

The romance was sufficient to keep it interesting - I always need a little romance in my fantasy books. The battle scenes were engaging and purposeful but not too long (the battle scenes are probably my least favorite part) and the ending gave me enough after-story that I didn't feel shut out or dying to know more. It left me completely full and thrilled with the ride.