More assured than Point of Hopes and a marvelously inventive scheme. I won't even tell you about it, because it is too much fun.

Sadly, Lisa Barnett died around the time this was published, but I'm delighted that Melissa Scott is writing another book set in Astreiant, "Point of Knives". ( )

Didn't like it as much as [b:Point of Hopes|836592|Point of Hopes |Melissa Scott|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1336165029s/836592.jpg|2136966], partly because I particularly liked the apprentices in that book. But the overall story was interesting enough; it was nice to visit that world again; it's nice to read stories in which samesex relationships are just taken for granted; and the flower magic was very clever. ( )

Upgraded from three to four stars - I enjoyed this more on re-read than I originally did. The mystery plot is fun and clever, and the dynamic between Rathe and Eslingen is wonderful. But the real star in this series is the worldbuilding. The reimagined Elizabethan era with gender equity and full acceptance of queer relationships is both well thought-out and satisfying to linger in. Very rewarding read. ( )

As well written and exciting as Point of Hopes . Philip and Nico are just way too cute. The mystery was pretty interesting and well developed. I wouldn't hesitate to pick it up. ( )

This is a sequel to Point of Hopes. Basically, this is a mystery series; it just happens to be set in a fantasy world with an interesting cosmology and magic system. Just as the real test of whether you're likely to enjoy Hammerfall is whether you enjoy Cherryh's fantasy, not her sf, I think the real test of whether you're likely to enjoy this book is whether you enjoy mystery series, not whether you enjoy fantasy series.

Astreiant is the capital city of a land with a roughly 17th century level of technology, with the difference that magic and divination work, with interesting effects on the culture. Somewhat earlier than in our world, the inhabitants are inventing policemen--called pointsmen--to investigate crimes and arrest malefactors. This is still a new idea, and the pointsmen, especially the Chief and Adjunct Points who have to deal with aristocracy unaccustomed to the idea that anyone other than the Queen can question their actions, have problems because of it.

Adjunct Point Nicholas Rathe, recently transferred from Point of Hopes to Point of Dreams, is handed a murder investigation which is potentially politically explosive, and has another murder investigation snatched away from him and handed to a younger but well-connected pointsman of whose abilities he entertains serious doubts. Meanwhile, his lover, Philip Eslingen, has lost his former position and found another, as the newest member of the Masters of the Guild of Defense, who provide all military and/or fighting performances in Astreiant's theaters. Life is further enlivened by the fact that this is the Ghost Tide, the time of year when even the normally quiet dead return to visit their living friends and family. None of these things, naturally, remains unrelated to the others.

Very enjoyable. ( )