In this direct sequel to Days of Blood and Fire , the city of Cenyan is besieged by an army of both humans and others that, under the inspiration of a false goddess, seeks a fate-bound child. Another, equally mixed army strives to relieve the city, and virtually all the major characters from the preceding novel and A Time of Omens (1992) become involved. This book is haunted by the slight sense that Kerr continues to write her popular novels about Deverry more to please the audience her successful world building has justifiably gained her rather than because she has any potent story to tell. Well, that world building remains admirable, and this novel, though it does not quite stand independently, is a real page-turner