the main thing that got me through the first third of this book was knowing how it linked to the nightblade saga. BUT once I was through the beginning which was less interesting as we were introduced to a whining child of a main character who is completely in the dark to his families dark reputation.
As Ebon finally becomes free of his families overpowering presence it becomes a great read song this character develop into a, we'll not quite strong lead, but moving toward the greatness with a new self-confidence that he discovers through the help of new friends he finds in the academy.
this book becomes a great addition to the underrealm's world. I can't wait to see how this characters story develops and eventually merges into the greater story that begins in the nightblade saga.