I love how Pierce puts us in the same universe and grows new characters along old beside each other. Reading her books is visiting with old friends. While I love the "Song of the Lioness Quartet" more, this adventure is lovely and fun as well. The differences between the protagonist between series (Keledry vs Alana) are quite nice, for despite their similar goals, the characters have different strengths and weaknesses and different journeys over all; while still retaining the iconic Pierce style of fantasy and developing excellent world building.