Beautifully written with some really really amazing character work, you really feel thrown in the deep end with Maia and as the book goes on you learn with him until at the end you feel comfortable with the court and its intricacies. Honestly nearly every character in this is written brilliantly, even the antagonists do what they do because its all they would.

I was worried towards the halfway mark that the plot was beginning to fray, but it ties together so well, and the realization that just by trying to be a good person

Maia repeatedly stumps the Duke, who just cannot fathom a man of Maia's power doing anything but trying to consolidate it.

I absolutely love the time spent with the Great Avar. Any other book would have allowed this as a small epilogue but allowing this character room to breathe, as well as showing Maia (and the reader) that being what he is has its perks, and it is more than okay to stand up for himself is a brilliant move.

Great book, made me cry.