Review: Well written novel
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 05 21, 2014
This book is very well written. If it were possible, I would give it a 3.5 star rating, so I settled on 4 instead, because the writing is well done. Laika is an academic and leaves her tutoring position, at the request of the Trea Councillors to go to Lisan. A country that fascinates and interests her and so she sets off on an adventure, discovering unpalatable truths along the way. Truths long suspected by her and her fellow Treans.I would have liked more physical descriptions of some of the secondary characters, as well as Laika herself and their clothing. I would also have liked to know more about the surrounding countries, their cultures, dress, customs etc. One small thing jarred me when Laika is having dinner with Aland, and mention is made of 'curried rice'. It seemed out of context because there was no mention of an Asian culture/country. It's a small thing, but it caught my attention and brought me out of the book.I also felt that since Laika had studied politics, she should have known or had an inkling of what was coming. No country or politician is that altruistic, they almost always want something in return.I also found it hard to accept the acts (no spoilers here) that the Trean Councillors asked of Laika, especially the second one. I just found it odd because Laika wasn't trained, in any way, in those aspects. But overall this is a good story.