I will honestly say that this is one of the BEST books I've ever read. 

Everything about it totally hooked me in and kept me reading until the wee hours of the morning. I actually had to re-read the last part, as it was so satisfying, and the ending was perfectly delicious. Ms. Holt has a gift for writing about emotions and connections between characters, whether they are harsh or loving. Though there is some violence, it was a fitting and integral part of the story, and it was more than balanced out by the compassion and love for each other shown by most of the women in the story. Though they are flawed, the women are a delightful blend of strength and compassion. I know a story is good for me when I literally feel things in my gut, which happened frequently here. I absolutely can't wait for the next in the series which I understand is coming soon. That's also a big plus for me, as it's nice when the next book comes out before I've forgotten the previous one. If you like strong women in a wonderful world of fantasy, I highly recommend this book.