An excellent piece of writing with a compelling story to tell. This is an action packed thriller full of historical content and the harsh reality of a time we can only imagine today. Writer Balkan paints a picture of the brutal life experienced by those living in medieval Central Asia. Following the struggles of the Kaskir as they strive to retain their identity in an atmosphere where that is all but impossible the story weaves the mystery of what has become of Jinji, Ailana’s closest friend, through the narrative. Writer Balkan’s interest in this time period coupled with his solid knowledge based on much research have produced a work of the highest standard. Highly recommended for everyone who enjoys a good mystery along with their historical fiction. Reviewed by: molly martin

Criterion use for review: ___+____ Original Story Idea? ___+____ Does the first sentence, paragraph, page hook your attention immediately? ____+___ Is there a plot? a subplot? Do they tie in to make the story complete? ___+____ Are transitions handled so the flow of reading isn't interrupted? ___+____ Do the main characters seem real? ___+____ Does the dialogue between characters seem natural? ___+____ Conflict Present? Was the conflict believable? Was it able to sustain the book? ____+___ Was motivation logical? Believable? Could you see yourself reacting that way in that situation? ___+____ Was the climax believable? Could you envision this really happening? ___+____ Did the conclusion seem a natural outcome?