Assessment:

Plot/Idea: The plot, while moving along at a decent pace, nonetheless feels overstuffed and unfocused, which may turn the read into something of an endurance test for readers.

Prose: Spearman leverages accessible, often evocative prose at the reader, which serves well to keep the flow moving, though it staggers a bit under the weight of wordy exposition and bursts of uneven dialogue.

Originality: The worldbuilding is crisp and well-developed. While the work may not stand out significantly amidst its contemporaries, fans of lore and world-craft should find much to delight in.

Character Development/Execution: Spearman crafts his characters with evident love and focus, though a reliance on exposition and front-loaded information works to bog down the cast and rob them of some of their organic qualities.

Date Submitted: June 14, 2022