The pacing of a quartet can be hard to master, yet this was a strong second book.

Utilising sensible time jumps, introducing new characters and places, the plot is moved along to keep your attention and to develop the characters well. 

At long last, after years of waiting, one of the men who might one day be Khai Machi had made his move. The city waited for the drama to unfold.

Maati is considered an embarrassment and sent to find out whether Otah had anything to do with his brothers’ deaths. 

Otah has taken on a new identity as a courier but is drawn to his father’s city and becomes embroiled in other people’s plotting he wants no part of. 

Idaan is the daughter of the Khai and is considered lesser, not a threat, a pawn for marriage than anything worth power. She has learnt to be cutting, ironic, cruel; hidden behind her paints and a nice smile. 

<b>‘Ah, and if I do this thing, you’ll be shamed. Because I have breasts and you’ve a prick, I’m supposed to muzzle myself and be glad. Is that it? Well I won’t. You hear me? I will not be controlled, I will not be owned, and I will not step back from anything to protect your petty pride. It’s gone too far for that, brother. If a woman shrinks meekly back into the shadows, then you be the woman. See how it feels to you!’

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We have characters who have loved, betrayed, grown up being reunited admit a charged climate full of suspicions and secrets. 

We see the power grabbing of the city and still the Galts are in the background trying to be puppet masters.