I read this book many years ago --probably shortly after publication. All I really recall about it is the unique setting --a world which has been broken into fragments which various powers are seeking to control. The hero is a werebear thief who is blackmailed into trying to help one of the rival powers, a sorceress, in a struggle against a sorcerer. ( )

Normally, quest fantasies have the characters trying to save the village or region or their world. With multiple worlds orbiting each other, I found this fantasy novel that much more compelling. I look forward to reading the sequel, The Burning Realm. ( )