This is now one of my new favorite authors. After the thrilling trilogy about Yelena Zaltana I was interested to see how this new trilogy would be. Maria V Snyder does not disappoint. The main character, Opal is easy to emphatize with, although she is a bit repetitive and whiny. It is also interesting to get to know the trade of glass making and no doubt the author had to do extensive research to authenticate what she was writing. The story is linear and the plot is good, which is just how I like it. This is a fast pacing, enjoyable read.