So, this collection was mixed for me. 
 The contemporary tales didn't work for me. I needed more from them, more characterization, more complexity. 
 I had a real hard time with the tales that were clearly a critique of veils; this issue is really complex and it is troubling to take it on so simplistically from a western point of view. I had a similar issue with "Time of Proving". 
 I enjoyed the story "The Dragon's Tale" very much, and loved the way it took me back to characters I have great affection for. 
 I found Lost thoughtful and compelling, though I dream of stories which depict victims of abuse as taking actions on their own behalf and not just rescued. 
 I found Nawat compelling and challenging, as a depiction of acculturation and struggles with that, in a cross-species metaphor. 
 I find Pierce's work compelling and have great affection for it even as I find it troubling, particularly about race and colonialism. This collection inspired less affection in me than her novels, which may be about the medium of short fiction not being the place where she does the things I enjoy about her work.