I've read this book before, and like many of Lackey's earlier Valdemar novels, it's a little less hit you on the head obvious although she still falls victim of "telling" about a character's personality through their (incredibly un-subtle thoughts) rather than actual "showing" through actions and character development. Particularly in the second act of the book when apparently a plot point is that Tarma is coddling Kethry with ZERO actual actions showing this and despite the constant emphasis that Tarma treats Kethry like an "absolute equal." She could have left that out as some sort of underlying character arc and just told the story with the demon. Still, I like the Tarma and Kethry adventures overall.