This book takes a heckuva long time to get to the reward. The first half is kind of slow, but having finished it I realize that the time was taken to really unpack the protagonist (Touraine). Touraine is really well drawn as a character--a downtrodden Sand (conscript soldier), respected leader, incredible fighter, assault victim, etc. There's just a lot going on and she makes mistakes that are not undone (plenty of fantasy novels have protagonists bemoaning their choices and blaming themselves, but they are offered clear choices that redeem all. Not happening here). Luca is a good foil as a would-be queen who tries to use Touraine to quell the colony's anger but ends up with a relationship (they would go Sapphic, but they just can't bring themselves to do it).
The book is a really good exploration of the pain of colonialism, but the long march to get to the point kind of takes away from it. I guess I'm craving a geopolitical SF story that doesn't invoke royalty to introduce hierarchy. I may be asking too much. I'm glad I stuck it out.
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