Amazing. Picks up the story, couple of hundred of years after [b:Under Heaven|7139892|Under Heaven|Guy Gavriel Kay|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1327894315s/7139892.jpg|7373286] ends. The book describes many intertwined destinies in Kitan, a version of China, an empire where the fear of strong military leaders (after the events in Under Heaven) has made the empire weak, and ripe for picking for ambitious barbarians. Masterful storytelling, and interesting characters living in interesting times. Guy Gavriel Kay has done some of his very best work in these two books.