Can I give this book ten stars? Is it possible to love a second book in a series more than the first? I wish I could, and I do.

The depth of ..Show More »character, plot and world building is absolutely amazing! Jacqueline Carey writes in poetry it seems. Not in a dull, you have to figure it out as you go into tangled webs-way, but flowing and vivid. It is like you have put on Carey glasses and see a world you might not have seen before.

I didn't cry at the end of this book. But I am sad. I cannot see how there could be a sequel. I have never seen so many threads brought to a more satisfying end. Except one. Robe. I wanted more. My problem is that I miss the characters so much and I know outside of reading the books again, I just wont have opportunity to enjoy them again. But Jacqueline Carey is a genius, so maybe she can pull more out of these characters. I hope so.

Now for a word for the narrator, Susan Ericksen. Wow! I am sure the book was marvelous without Ms. Erickson's voice but to listen to her while reading Jacqueline's book was like "cake AND ice cream." A couple of the characters have similar backgrounds yet Susan managed to keep their accents separate and individual. Since they are of Latino descent I was worried that as they went to European countries and then to Australia and Japan that there would be some dull or unbelievable accents. No. She carried all characters and accents off with a flair. I look forward to more of her narrations.

I highly recommend the series and/or the audio of Santa Olivia and the sequel Saints Astray to Everyone!

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