Like the court that is the centerpiece of the first book, this story is both rich and decadent. The writing is the chocolate cake of the web fiction feast, with an evocativeness that leaves one rereading certain chapters over and over. In Your Room comes to mind – the author says that was the first time they did creepy. To the author I say – you do it /very well/. The language is colorful and evocative of a world that departs from your regular fantasy fare with its own intricate system of justice and Law.

I must admit, I have no idea what half the characters look like and less idea how the whole Poet thing works or who the kingdoms are or what the geography of the whole place looks like. I suspect reading the wiki would help – the story itself focuses on the characters and their interactions and current predicament to the exclusion of such details of ‘but how did this Law thing start?’ and ‘I can never remember the Poet-King’s name.’ There is, however, a wiki, which I have not read. Knowing the author and co-author’s tendency to illustrate this story with /incredibly pretty art/, I suspect there’s even a map somewhere. (I hope. Otherwise I am doomed.)

I find myself torn, on the subject of the Peacock King himself. The story swirls around him, because in essence it is a story /about/ him – and I want to like him. He has charisma out the ears, and charm in buckets. I want him to be redeemed, I guess, though I have no idea how that could work. I kinda want him and Lotus to live happily ever after, even if that would be a terrible, terrible idea for Lotus’s sanity. They’re cute together, for a value of scary, scary cute.

The second book is starting today. I am very glad about having found this story last Tuesday and reading through it like a maniac. You will like it if you like medieval fantasy, pretty men, charismatic evil (or is he evil? I don’t know!) and other such likable things.

There is not a character in this story I don’t adore. Except the ones with no lines, I mean. I even like the Nul Herald dude. Whose name, for the moment, escapes me.

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