The author has created an intricately detailed world for the reader. The multifaceted point of view characters take turns telling us how the realities of this harsh world play out for men, women, royalty, servants,  devotees of various religions, and so on. The story is compelling, epic, and dark. 

Every now and the dialogue or inner musings of the characters would take a wry, pragmatic, or tender turn, leading to some of the most human scenes. “I’m hallucinating, Priya, try to keep up.”