This series is linked to the other Tom Elliot series. If you like his writing then you will enjoy this. I read it on RR and enjoyed the book. One slight curve that threw me but overall very good book. Look forward to the next one in the series.

Tom Elliot has spun-off another character into his Grand Game universe in the Empyrean series. And while Elana is an interesting character, she is also frustrating. Unlike Michael in the main Grand Game series, Elana seems to understand neither the gravity of her situation nor what it is she has to do in order to survive that situation (this despite growing up in gang-infested environs and being "taught" to handle herself enough to carry a dagger and be trusted to know what to do with it). For but one of many examples, she uses her bow much like you would an artillery piece. She fires, sees where it hits, adjusts, fires again, sees where it hits, fires again, and so on and so forth. For someone trying to kill other people, she is doing a remarkably ham-handed job of it and still somehow managing not to get killed. What she should be doing is firing as fast as she can, as often as she can, adjusting on the fly. There should be no pauses between one shot and the nexts beyond what is needed to knock an arrow. She does much the same thing with her daggers. Instead of shivving the hell out of players prison-style, she stabs once, waits on notices from the Adjudicator, and then decides if more is necessary. It is frustrating even while a decent story with intriguing elements is happening. If you are already hooked on The Grand Game mainline story and are expecting more of the same from this series, you will be disappointed. That is not to say it is not worth reading, just don't expect Michael-level thinking or skill because in Elana it is woefully missing. Quite frankly, she has only gotten as far as she has because of the lizard, her brother, Alon, and various others.

A very interesting storyline set in the same universe. Looking forward to it and a possible crossover with the wolf storyline.

Bin Fantasy-Freund aber sicher kein Fan von Spin off-Geld mache, aber das hier ist gut und auch ein alternativer Zugang zu einer Welt mit viel Potential. Klare Leseempfehlung!!

One of the best writers I have ever had the pleasure of reading books by... I am really looking forward to more books from this author...

Pretty good novella set in the world of The Grand Game. Main character is a little whiny and emotional for my taste, but a good story nonetheless. I will read the next installment for sure.