A decent tale, if a bit vague in its themes. It gets off to a slow start, but once it starts moving it's pretty engrossing. As has become usual with McKillip, there are things I wish were explained better, and some things that are left at utter loose ends. I did really love the historical research and the character growth of the central figure. The use and descriptions of music irked me in the early and middle parts of the book, but worked very well at the end when described as part of a duet.