The cover is secretive; the gold swirls imply opulence without giving away anything of the plot - and compared with the more ruthless title, it leaves a potential reader curious for the synopsis and the beginning of the story. The prologue gives a great taste for what's to come: we've established a hierarchy of families with some kind of alchemical magic that is violently sought after (even if the leaders of the houses view the goings-on as banal and time-consuming). There's a hint of strength and conquest and after just a few pages, I'm ready to learn more about what makes the world tick. Very quickly thereafter we're introduced to Severin, denied his birthright and in the perfect position to wreak havoc upon the system currently in play.
The writing is detailed and befitting the time period in which the story takes place, with enough pomp to feel genuine without being over-the-top or boring. The surrounding world and lore is expertly woven in with little snatches of Severin's thoughts and the documents/excerpts.
The writing is detailed and befitting the time period in which the story takes place, with enough pomp to feel genuine without being over-the-top or boring. The surrounding world and lore is expertly woven in with little snatches of Severin's thoughts and the documents/excerpts.