This is a book that was higher than my expectations - I was thinking this was going to be a straight forward fantasy novel, but instead something considerable more.

I found the characters to be down to earth, with decisions made logically, and with care. Where the book shines is in the character of Nonee, turned into a monster from conception by a mage, made into a weapon with incredible power and senses, she is sure of who she is.

Where the book shines is the flashbacks to the expedition into the broken lands 30 years earlier, when the king (heir at the time) was tasked with collecting fuel for the dark flame. He takes the weapon (than unnamed) a few guards and a healer, and learns more about the world than he would like, as Nonee is allowed to be human.

As for the present day, I especially liked that this world isn't separated by gender. The leader of the Heir, Ryan, is a woman. This also isn't a politically correct world, crude jokes are made at everyone's expense. Also, this is a world where you can sleep with whom you want, no judgements.

The one thing I had an issue with is Lylee. She is the heirs cousin and second in line of the throne. All she wants to be is to learn about the broken lands, bring back mage craft because it could be useful, even though her party is traveling through the effects of the mage war, from warped creatures, humans turned to stone and children turned into fungi- its nasty stuff. She was written with an insatiable curiosity, oblivious to the suffering that went (well, I'm sure the children weren't aware...). However she seemed to not care about the danger around her, but it never occurs to her if she dies, she can't use the knowledge she learns. This would be a near perfect book if this character wasn't so heavy handed. ( )

That's quite a story. It's horrific, in parts - some really nasty beings, and some really nasty ways to die (or not quite die). But the story is more about what makes a person a person, and a coming-of-age story. Magnificent characterization - of course, it's Tanya Huff - fascinating setting, nice handling of paired timelines. We see two different expeditions into the Broken Lands, with one person on both - but she's changed a lot between the first and second trip. They don't follow the same paths, exactly, and they encounter quite different threats, but the level of danger is about the same (very high). The story switches back and forth between the two, running more or less parallel; I never felt like the author was hiding info in her choice of what to present, but the two views added a lot of richness. I'd be interested in reading a story about what Ryan does when he gets back - he's going to have to make some serious changes, or his heir is. Very good story. ( )

A solid coming of ages adventure in an environment in which literally everything is out to get you. There aren't any lovely behind the waterfall moments in this trek - in fact, well, it's surprising even the weapon makes it through. It drags just a bit and the past scenes detract almost as much as they add, but on the whole it does work. ( )

Great fantasy novel about two quests into a magic riddled land created by warring mages. Both of the quests are to secure a unique fuel, and mirroring each other across 60+ years.

This is like the grown up version of [The Last Wizard]. great characterisation, pacing, worldbuilding. A great deal of realism in a very fantastic setting without leaning into grim. ( )