Review: Complex detailed story told well
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 07 25, 2011
Set several generations after the other books in the series, it focuses on Mallory. She`s a chalice from a small settlement in Garrick who captures the attention of both Garrick, the King of Garrick and Edmund, the King of Allel.  Her struggles are amplified when a rumour starts that she is the lost descendent of the last Imperial Emperor. Will Mal survive to discover the truth of her past?After the short novellas comprising the series so far, this full length book is a surprise. It is a chance to delve into a complex, detailed story that really sticks with you.Mal is a simple girl from a primitive settlement. When she is discovered to be a "bleeder", her whole world changes. Suddenly she is one of the treasured chalices, and must learn a whole new way of living. Her transformation is very realistic and believable. Her thoughts ring true as a simple girl caught in a new, unknown world.I loved the references to parts of the previous books. Tesla technology (from book 1) is quite important in Allel, and to the plot. Durga and chalice world (from book 2) forms the core of this book. This makes reading the series in order very important.Like the other books, there are a very steamy erotic scenes. Being a longer book with more detail, there are a few more of these scenes than in the previous books.Overall, this was a great book in the series, one that signaled a change from novella to full-length novel with great success.