The second in the Alais Capet duology, this book was slightly more difficult to get into. The sense of urgency was somehow lacking until the final third of the book, when stakes turn deadly. I suppose it’s partly because we don’t get introduced to Alais, who is cunning and observant, as well as blessed with a ‘second sight’ ability. The story follows the build-up to the first (and very bloody) Christian-on-Christian crusade, though dates are fudged a bit to lend tension.  Alais doesn’t really have a central part in the intrigue, but she functions as a sort of detective, motivated […]