This is a beautifully written historical novel which completely transports the reader into the violent, gaudy, perilous world of the Byzantine Empire during the reign of Basil II. If you love adventure with dramatic fight scenes and strong characters, which gives you an easy way in to a fascinating period of history along the way, then this is for you. I think I may have enjoyed this book more as a younger reader - much of the action and set-up was quite sad. I also found it hard to empathise completely with the major characters, but that may be the perilous state of the world at the moment. This is a classy historical novel, and I'm sorry I wasn't more in the mood for it. ( )