This book was sitting on my shelf for ages but when I got a copy of the second in the series I thought it was time to pick it up, and my goodness I was so glad I did! This is a fabulous beginning to what I hope will evolve into an utterly awesome series. It has everything that anyone would want in a fantasy series, fabulous world building, fascinating and believable characters, a twisty turny plot, and the most excellent writing (and translation). It's been a long time since I've enjoyed a YA novel so much, though I hesitate to pigeon hole it as YA as like all great books it transcends definition and could be enjoyed about just about everyone. I don't want to say anything about the story as I think it's best to go in blind and just let the magic of this glorious book unfold before you. I'm off to start book two.