I finished Part I, realized I wasn't enjoying myself, and then skimmed some of the other sections. The characters are well developed, and the lead girl has an intriguing personality. I didn't care about the political and military problems with their town and elsewhere, the abundance of religious issues, or what was going to happen to the characters. When that happens, it's time to quit reading and move on to something else. 
 Still, Dunant has talent as a writer, and I am open to trying another of her titles.