Dear book designers: a rainbow on a book jacket currently means Gay. While I support inclusion, and appreciate it, in this context, it is misleading. I get not wanting it to look girly, but I think I would have gone more in the crime vernacular. Not that it matters about selling it to me, I was going to read the book regardless, because I really like Moriarty's unusual mix of humor and crime and social issues and romance, but some people be sadly disappointed.

Loved the book. I was pleased that at least one character wasn't white. There were some interesting surprises, lots of story on everyone, and a very satisfying finish. 

Library copy

Gratifying long and convoluted. I like that it stretches out over such a long time span. There's an expansive quality to the large cast and to the very many secrets being kept by everyone. It was fun: I never even thought about trying to solve it, I just let it flow over me, longingly observing every cigarette smoked. There's a ban on smoking areas at the front door of businesses, so the cloud of smoke is a nostalgic element from the 20th century for me. 

Library copy 

Sanglant, King Henry's bastard son is capitve of the Eika Bloodheart in the city of Gent, unknown to anyone.  Liath is now one of the King's Eagles, grieving over Sanglant and trying to avoid Hugh, while trying to understand her father's teachings and what it could mean.  Alain is now a Count's heir, is having visions of one of the Eika and the Lady of Battles appears to have a purpose for him.  Fifth Brother, one of the Eika, the least favoured of Bloodheart's sons is trying to raise an army and understand the visioins he is having of Alain.  Meanwhile Anna is trying to survive this broken world and keep safe.

It's a complicated world and you can see by the end that there are wheels within wheels and the story progresses, but I found it a bit of a slog.  Satisfied by the end but I wanted more.

Slow going, for me

  Watching Flora in adulthood is fascinating: it feels a bit like watching a child grow up. Flora Segunda was inventive and fun and a bit like watching Hermione get the lead role. I particularly enjoyed the world -building, but also the way each book 's focus shifts as Flora grows up. 

Vague discomfort with the way indigenous cultures are treated, but no fully formed opinions yet. Maybe later.

Library copy