Anna Kirwan

This is a wonderful coming-of-age story for pre-teen and early teen readers. There is some difficulty with names and geography (some of this is addressed in the back of the book), and it does at times detract from the story. I would have personally liked a little more with her husband, Fire Keeper. The little bit we get at the end makes me think he was a good man and honestly loved and cared for the Lady of Bacal, his young wife.

There are times however that the writer (Lady of Bacal) seems stilted and two-dimensional. I struggle to feel what she is (or to even care). Other times the feels are vivid and raw to the point you can't help but at least feel an echo.… (more)