Rating: 
Summary: A classic tortured spy novel set in a fantasy world
Review: This fantasy novel takes the somewhat cliche story of the tortured spy and sets it in another land, where judges are the rulers and their reasons for their schemes are difficult to ascertain. Elzith, the best spy in the ruling judge's secret army was found as a baby by thieves in a trash pile. Her life pretty much goes downhill from there (figuratively). Elzith is tortured by those she has killed, tortured by the abuse to her own body and somewhat tortured by her magical abilities that make her what she is. Tod Redtanner, is also tortured, but by failure and fear. When Elzith rents the room in his apartment, he falls in love with her and does everything he can to help her. While this may sound somewhat trite, it is difficult to convey the interesting world where Welch sets this tale. As Elzith recounts her story to Tod, one can't help but notice the parallels with all society (corruption of its leaders, their opaque goals). I had never heard of this book and picked it up on a whim, I am glad I did and look forward to the sequel due out in August '04.
Rating: 
Summary: She didn't break the rules, they broke her...please
Review: This was one of the most tedious,tiresome books I have read in years...just getting past the flat characters, unnecessarily convoluted plot wasted too much time. I had to put it down half way through because I was absolutely bored to tears...I guess I broke first.
Rating:
Summary: Disapointing
Review: To start off, I really wanted to like this book... I tried, HONEST! but now to explain the sorry truth about the confidence game.1. Plot is convoluted and really poorly thought through. I couldn't even explain how I managed to read the whole book through. 2. Character development is completely lacking. I cared so little about these ridiculous characters that I would have appreciated if one or both of the 2 main characters had died... slowly. 3. World is completely without charm. It was a hodge-podge of countries that really didn't click at all. The truth of the matter is I bought the book because I like the artist who did the cover(did the fantastic Kushiel series). Please for the love of god, don't read this book. I want my sacrifice to mean something. If you want a good fantasy read, please try anything by George R R Martin, Steven Erikson, Guy Gavriel Kay or Glen Cook. please please please run and hide from this really, really, really truly horrible book. I what I would classify as a fantasy novel written by an author who does not understand fantasy or writing. My apologies if the author reads this... try writing some other genre... please.
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