Judith Starkston has brilliantly written both the world and the characters of the Hittite Empire. Her characters are wonderfully engaging and her world richly detailed. …The first element you will discover when you begin reading this novel is that despite having two other novels in the series, you won’t feel lost. I recommend those previous novels because the characters and the world are so interesting but this particular novel does work as a standalone. Then you will dive into her world and you won’t want to come up for breath. The novel is rich in detail and full of depth, dense with flavor and clearly well-researched as her world resonates with the time period. …The next element that I loved were her characters. Not only are the female protagonists strong and driven in the novel but their role is most crucial to the plot. Rather than the novel be male-driven, despite the time period, Judith has discovered not only wonderful female historical figures to base her story on but her writing has enhanced the role of women within that context. Their powers and their abilities are critical to the successes of their people. But the male figures in the novel are not just cookie cutouts. They are three-dimensional and as important to the story as the woman. Even though Tesha is the main protagonist, her husband is integral, they are partners in their endeavors and struggles. Tesha and Hattu are unforgettable. …The griffins are magical, powerful, and beautifully written. … The worldbuilding is perfect, a blend of magical and real that works in such harmony you can’t imagine a world without both.
Andrea Rittschof, The Nameless Zine, journal of Western SFA
Prepare to be transported to an ancient realm where vengeful gods speak to mortals, miraculous beasts soar through the sky, and kings, spies, and sorcerers vie for influence and power. Judith Starkston does a fine job of creating a fantasy world thoroughly grounded in the history of the ancient Middle East. The complex and intriguing plot, set in a dramatic world where magic and sorcery affect everyday life, draws the reader in. Readers who enjoy fantasy and royal machinations should enjoy this inventive novel of a magical ancient empire.
Historical Novels Review Magazine
I am a fan of this fascinating historical fantasy series, which is based on the ancient Hittites, and this one is the best yet. If you haven’t read the earlier books, don’t hesitate to start with this one – you will have no trouble following who’s who or what’s happening. You will probably want to go back and pick up the others, though.
~Tinney Heath, author of Lady of the Seven Suns
Starkston has mastered the art of dual storytelling. We get both the fast-paced, can’t-put-it-down story between the covers of each book, and also the longer, gradual weaving of the lives of her characters over time, played out as the series expands: their unfolding experiences and how those adventures change them, their growth as people (or, in some cases, griffins), their relationships as they shift and change and deepen. In this book, we see added character depth as both humans and magical creatures find themselves trying desperately to protect their beloved offspring, even while dealing with dangerous power struggles.
My own enthusiasm for this series begins – though it does not end – with Starkston’s vast historical knowledge and the ingenious way she has made the Hittite civilization come alive, even while transforming it into exciting fantasy complete with Hittite-sourced magic and ancient gods and goddesses. I especially love it that her heroine, Tesha, is based on a historical queen. Fans of Guy Gavriel Kay will appreciate the seamless blend of history and fantasy in these books.