6/10
This is book 1 in a tetralogy, so the author spends a lot of time on world-building and historical back-notes. Yet we do get to know the main characters, Llian and Karan, quite well. i thought all the major characters seem fairly nuanced--real people with flaws and strengths, warts and virtues.

I thought some of the interminable journeying could have been condensed, but the events in the escapes and chases did help develop the characters and their relationships with each other.

I certainly enjoyed this enough and am intrigued enough to continue the series.