I liked the part of the dedication:

I think I would have enjoyed the book more if the afterword had been a preface.
I read in some reviews people saying they had a tough time placing the locations in the fantasy into corresponding locations in reality. I think the afterword goes a long way to explaining where the comparisons are (and I wouldn't have found it as a spoiler at all, but just in case...)

Persia (Iran) is the empire that is then conquered. How do you reconcile your country's imperialism when it is later conquered?

I think the questions raised are interesting. I think the magic in the world and the fear of blood magic has great potential. I think the worldbuilding is interesting. I think this book tries to do too much in too short a length and isn't terribly effective. I was more frustrated with unanswered questions or confused with place names while reading. 

I am interested in seeing where Jamnia goes with future writing and will be looking for more of their work.