Jane McKinley

I agree this is a tale of amazing richness. The descriptions of the lands, the culture and traditions are proud and beautiful. I enjoyed the connections to ancestors and ancient ways.The magic was fun. For that I give a star otherwise I’d give it the lowest rating because of the relentless gratuitous violence. It’s the whole book! Every affectionate character is slaughtered along the way and in such graphic detail! Torture scenes are so graphic how can this be a book for kids? Over and over we are reminded how Zaillie’s mother was dragged out by guards with a chain around her neck and hung from a tree for her little girl to see. How many times must it be repeated. We got it. Gruesomeness is constant. It was too much. I would have enjoyed the storyline more if the author had not indulged and relied so much this.