Laurell K. Hamilton has an easy style, which rattles along like a 21st century Dashiell Hammett, but with more emphasis on sex. A lot more. Princess Meredith is a very sexual, amoral creature, not bound by human standards. Sometimes this comes across as juvenile fantasy, but Meredith also shows a deeper understanding of women's power over men. In particular the power of sex when used as a lure, a reward and a weapon. Use and abuse are neatly excused by Meredith's fey ancestry and cultural upbringing. The sex is not overly explicit, but is such a central issue to the plot that it does raise some questions. Moral issues aside, is a woman indulging in frequent sex with multiple partners just as sad as a man who chooses to be shallow? The impression I got was that the instant sex was like instant coffee; okay for a quick fix but nowhere near as good as what you get from a percolator. Meredith acting like a slapper does, in fairness, have a purpose vital to the plot. But by taking this route, Hamilton purposely misses the opportunity for discreetness, and all its subtle shades. One character, for example, is punished by having his private parts eaten by carnivorous butterflies. Many readers will revel in this, but personally I'd have preferred an even balance between the history of the Sidhe, court politics, and Meredith's adventures in lust.

Princess Meredith is another strong woman, in the mould of Anita Blake, Hamilton's more famous creation, but minus the testosterone poisoning. Her supporting characters include Doyle a.k.a the Queen's Darkness, who looks like Wesley Snipes much bigger brother, and the impossibly handsome Killing Frost. We also meet Galen, not a monkey but another immortal who is an old friend to Meredith, Barinthus, a former sea god, and Rhys, who used to be worshipped as a death god. Then there's my favourite, Kitto, a rather intimate Goblin, and Cel the homicidal son of the deliciously depraved Andais, Queen of Air and Darkness. Hamilton's faerie is very much an Americanised version. Sidhe lite, if compared to the deeper understanding and alien portrayal of author's such as Greg Bear. Because of this, the cast often struggle to achieve a sense of profundity. It's as if they're actors, playing the parts of ancient beings. Luckily, Meredith's story is sufficiently enjoyable, and told with such enthusiasm, that it has no trouble holding attention all the way to the last page.