I've actually read this book before. I immediately devour any book that Kay releases.

It was great to go back and read this one again. There is a lot of depth to Kay's books - glimpses of the fact that any minor character has a full history behind them.

Many people feel that this is not as strong as some of Kay's other books. The pace / plot is a bit more sedate - like the sun going down, there is an inevitability on display as it rolls to conclusion.

There is a bit of fantasy / magic thrown in, but the theme is in part about the end of paganism and superstition, so the whole thing can be read as historical fiction.