Most of all, this is a story of becoming human, the cost and rewards of humanity, the choices on the narrow path between freedom, danger and duty. This book elaborates on the cruel and 2-dimensional nature of the Enforcers. It also makes the natives of Mennenkalt, featured in Ms. Turner's first novel, more intriguing and sympathetic. Much of the plot development is an unusual romance. As in Lisane, the self-deprecation hides enormous power.
Many fantasies describe the process of coming of age, often accompanied by coming into power.
This book concentrates on maturity in the use of power, with consequent cost and constraints. On the whole, the book is a fun read. One quibble is that most characters outside of Malka herself seem somewhat faded. The bad guys seem highly reluctant to use things like explosives or distance weapons, perhaps another symptom of mustache-twirling. The positives are the pleasant and very intriguing character of Malka herself, together with the fresh, possibly unique, look at magic as a collection of semi-sapient forces, sometimes like obedient and trusting dogs, other times like enigmatic cats, and occasionally like vicious wolverines.