This book deserves every bit of praise I have heard about it. It is honest and empowering. I really grew to admire Ismae. She was a good student and a good pupil of the convent, but she also had the smarts to step back and think for herself. It kind of reminds me of the cover of Breaking Dawn -- yes, I did just throw in a Twilight mention. Once a Twihard, always a Twihard! But the cover of that book is a chess board and Stephanie Meyer has said that it shows how Bella, who was the weakest character at the beginning of the series, is now the strongest. Ismae is similar. In the beginning she is not valued by her father or husband. By the end, she is the one calling the shots in her life and love. 
 Great action, great pacing, great romance, great setting. This book gets 5 of 5 stars from me. 
 Read the full review on Book Nerds Across America: http://www.booknerdsacrossamerica.com...