I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, K. J. Parker, and the publisher, Subterranean Press, for this opportunity. 
 I won't provide a brief synopsis or overview of the plot here and I would advice it not be read before opening this book, as that is where my discontent with this tale lay. 
 Despite the short length, this provided a full and complex plot, a variety of characters with distinct traits and personalities, a well-structured fantasy world, and all was delivered in a compelling and intriguing voice. In short, this was a stellar fantasy read. 
 What ruined the clear brilliance of this was that much of the plot was already uncovered in the synopsis. I already knew much of what I was to read and, whilst not bored, this depleted the fun of the narrative. If this had been a full length novel, then the few short paragrpahs, designed to sell a book, would have perhaps only sufficiently covered a small portion of the plot. As this was only of novella length I found that too much was already divulged and less was left for the reader to discover, on their own.