An interesting idea, but written in a very slow and dry style. I have not read the first three books - about Nantucket Island - but I like the idea of a world with no tech, but the story and characters suffer from a very dry hand at work. Very little of the action 'grabs' me, although there is a lot of action. The characters are full of interesting details, but little life. It's a good book that had the potential of being great...but never got there.