This book is a fascinating twist on an Arthurian retelling, with a lot of adjustment for mixed gender knights. It’s set in the era immediately after Vincia [Rome] leaves the island, much like Hawk of May.
It was hard to evaluate, given that Hawk is so similar in setting and tale. In that way, it works well that crossing gender and mixing in politics changes the pacing and tale quite a bit.
In the end, I liked it. It’s a solid tale, after the tag end of Roman rule, but a different world and setting. The characters are all well drawn; Sulien is a great POV character, interesting and prickly, progressive in ways that appeal to a modern reader. Urdo and his knights are also well drawn; the other cultures are sketched and clearly different, with the differences slanted by Sulien’s POV.
All in all, an excellent retelling, even if it hasn’t toppled Hawk of May on first read. I look forward to reading the sequels.