I was offered this title as a new book in a continuing series. Normally I don't much go in for that. I'm a bit of a completist, as well as a natural speed reader. I LOVE long series, and i'm generally thrilled to pick up an author I haven't seen before with a large back-list. 
 But picking up in the middle? Ew. 
 As much as i tried not to, I brought that attitude to the book with me. I kept putting it off. I kept 
 making excuses. I think I read the first chapter three of four times before i finally settled in and gave it the attention it deserved. For that, I was well rewarded. 
 The introductory chapter didn't hook me, but once I worked past it and a little deeper, I was sold. Sullivan brings new life to the old "elder species" setting, with a (quite literally) Promethean twist. What does happen when the magic-slinging Gods are not just shown to have feet of clay, but proven to be entirely too mortal? Racism, elitism, greed, betrayal, and the relentless lust for power drive one side, while in the other ignorance, fear and superstition abounds, xenophobia is a way of life, and that life is both hard won and cheap. 
 Definitely a great jumping in point to Sullivan's fantasy world, and frankly, i think I'll wait to read the rest of this series of prequels before leaping in to the main body of work. 
 ButI will be jumping, make no mistake.