I'll start by admitting it has been some time since I have read this. But...

It was recommended to me in high school and I have since followed the whole series. I am VERY excited for the re-releases from Valek's POV. It has your basic fantasy series format of main couple, magic world, magic abilities, and world intrigue. I think Snyder manages to keep the format fresh with side characters and storylines but not so many to lose the plot as it were... Yes, there are technically multiple interconnected series in her works, all in one large world. But it doesn't overwhelm like many fantasy series. There aren't so many details and characters jammed into the story that it turns convoluted, too long, and too typical.

Snyder is the first author I ever signed up for their newsletter (many years ago!) and I will never forget the time she actually emailed me back with a answer to a question, which was pretty epic to a then teenager.