A re-read of the late Louise Cooper's first novel, first read many years ago. In a lot of ways it is an obvious first novel. The characters are not that well developed; they are seen from an omniscient viewpoint and we don't really get inside their heads. The protagonist, Tarod, is not a likeable character and his behaviour towards women is outrageous, though he manages to gain the devotion of one in particular. The abrupt reversal of Tarod's closest friend who switches to becoming his deadliest enemy is a bit abrupt also. But the basic set-up of the gods of Chaos, who are viewed by the worshippers of the gods of Order as demons, but are a force required to balance Order, is already there, a theme that the writer returned to in later books with great success. And she also succeeds in creating a brooding atmosphere in the dark castle, suspended in time. ( )