Review: I loved it.
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 12 12, 2011
If you're considering this book, readFarro (Farro and Sulfur)first, but definitely read them both.It starts off where Farro leaves off - with the Khensa, Bomoni, Jarai, Shana, Mbiki, and Ghari on the road in hopes of somehow getting back the wheat so that their countrymen won't starve.  On the way, there's action and adventure, growth and exposure to new cultures.  In other words, it's a fairly straight-forward quest premise, although with a really satisfying execution.  They go through the desert, over the mountains, and into the expansionist steam-punk culture of the foreigners and then have to deal with the threat to their nation.  Along the way, Khensa learns a lot about her powers, her self, and Bomani.  Mmmm.  Bomani.Anyway, I think in general this is a stronger book than Farro.  Less melodrama, more nuanced characters, and a highly-satisfying-yet-non-cliched HEA ending.  YAY!I especially like two things that she does that lots of authors often do wrong:1. She touches on issues like slavery, imperialism, and technological progress, but it feels like a natural part of the story.  No monologuing, no easy answers, no "this is the good culture" and also no interruption of the story arc.2. This is a two book story that has a fairly epic feel, but it actually has a concrete ending and is complete.I've put a more detailed review of both books at [...]