Well done fantasy world with a catlike species mixed in with but feared by the humans. ( )

Apparently, this is part of Jay Lake's 'Green Universe.' I think it might be appreciated more by fans of the books who are already familiar with the setting, as I felt rather 'plunked down' in medias res.

Here we meet a character known only as 'The Dancing Mistress.' She's a member of a feline, non-human species who are an endangered minority in a humans' world.

At a chaotic time of political transition, she encounters a shaman who seeks to compel her to help him with his shadowy agenda. The blood magician seems to know secrets of her people that no human should know - and is definitely a threat.

The world we get a glimpse of seems complex and fascinating, but the story presented here is a pretty simple "showdown" incident. ( )

Apparently, this is part of Jay Lake's 'Green Universe.' I think it might be appreciated more by fans of the books who are already familiar with the setting, as I felt rather 'plunked down' in medias res.

Here we meet a character known only as 'The Dancing Mistress.' She's a member of a feline, non-human species who are an endangered minority in a humans' world.

At a chaotic time of political transition, she encounters a shaman who seeks to compel her to help him with his shadowy agenda. The blood magician seems to know secrets of her people that no human should know - and is definitely a threat.

The world we get a glimpse of seems complex and fascinating, but the story presented here is a pretty simple "showdown" incident. ( )

The Duke of Copper Downs is dead but a human mage seems to be trying to resurrect him. This atmospheric story tells how the Dancing Master and her allies (all non-human) react. ( )