In this fable about the dynamics of social inequality you see characters grow, rot, harden, and come to terms with how fluid their positions can be if they are willing to make the tougher choices. The pacing problems from the last two books have all but disappeared and what is left is a much more focused and human story. Sure, some lingering annoyances like introducing creatures through vague metaphor still remain. "Laaks" What the hell are those? (My best guess is a rodent of some kind.) Still, coming from someone with an interest in understanding the ninth world with only the novellas as a guide, this is far and away the most accessible of the three. ( )