Here is an intense, beautifully told tale that is as likely to appeal to readers of historical novels as those of fantasy, and is indeed more mainstream novel than genre escapism. Surely nobody would wish to escape to Iloh’s revolution, Ms Alexander’s retelling of the Chinese Revolution seen through a fantasist’s dark mirror. Syai is not China, but a version of it as might exist somewhere in a parallel universe. This is a compelling story about dreams and where they lead, of how one person’s determination to change history can do so, for good or ill and how destruction for whatever reason is never a good idea. It is a tale full of revolution, travel, pleasure and heartbreak that kept the pages turning far into the night. This is another one for the keeper shelf that will probably get read more than once and which operates on many levels. A rare treat.