This book isn't perfect, but I loved it. I rarely give a five-star rating, but from the beginning to the end of this book I read with rapture. The premise, setting, characters, and ideals enthralled me. This is definitely a character-driven book. Perhaps as I think about that more, I'll learn I love character books more than plot-driven ones. I'll see. It's the first novel I've identified as character- or plot-driven.

I see Lady Anne as a grey character. The entire book is narrated in third person, but not many chapters are dedicated to her thoughts, although she is present in many. I don't feel I know Lady Anne personally, but I respect her. I like her as a character and will continue to read about her. (OCTOBER 2018 IS THE NEXT VOLUME).

Trigger warning for abuse, rape, death, corpses, abortion, self-harm, mental illness. This book deals with less-than-light topics. It is set in a horrific time period. Human strength and goodness do ring through, but there are many dark times.

I am really glad I gave into my impulse to buy and read this book. It was an epic tale.