I’ve always loved anything with this type of setting, and so was very keen to read this book, especially as I have enjoyed this author’s other work. This is another real page-turner which I devoured in a few bites, the sort of book that had me turning the pages to see what was going to happen next. For anybody bloodthirsty out there this is going to be a veritable feast, being one of the goriest books I have read for some time. There is somebody pleading for their life, being tortured or executed on nearly every page, so this one is definitely not for the squeamish. Much of this sets the scene, but I was wondering after a while whether the new Zar - who is a decent lad - could have exercised some of his power and at least got rid of Salmeo. Also, we are told how the old religion had been ousted and the new patriarchal worship begun a few centuries earlier. But the only religious people we see are the priestesses of the old religion - so when does the worshipping of the newer misogynistic god take place? The Percherese seem a remarkably secular bunch! But all this aside if you want an exciting read - and get to slake some bloodlust into the bargain - this is a good book.