Just as good as the 1st time around. The audio was gorgeous to listen to. ( )

This was one of the most stunning books I have read in a long time. The characters were rich and flawed, yet in a constant process of growth and change. The background was mysterious and magical and sparse in a post-apocalyptic way. While this book is certainly not for everyone, since the themes of genocide and FGM and rape were very hard to read, it still is able to look at these real life issues with some kind of hope and change through the Hero's struggle. The writing was very good, i would certainly read more from this author. ( )

This started out as a good book, with a clearly defined world and key characters. Unfortunately, it let itself down in the final portion, where in place of solid plot there was a mishmash of additional tricks employed. Some aspects of this were inventive, the Red people and their magic protective sandstorm being the most inventive. But the way that everyone involved turns out to be a sourcerer and that Mwita will be alive in the green lands with no explanation, as the last tie we saw him he was most certainly dead, left me less impressed with the ending that I was at the beginning. ( )

This story was beautiful and harsh and hopeful and merciless. The end made me sob so hard.

For me, the most refreshing thing about this 'fantasy' was its environment. I really enjoyed the buildup, but in the end didn't necessarily ( )