More from Lois McMaster Bujold. This time the action is with the Lakewalkers, who treat Fawn like a child or animal of some sort. Bujold is developing the world/civilization/society a bit more, which is interesting. We don't know how things got the way they are on what is clearly earth, or a planet almost entirely populated with earth life, but it seems something new is about to happen. Dag's becoming a maker of some type, and the malices are springing up faster and more frequently. The human population is increasing, which is giving malices an advantage. Lakewalkers are dwindling. Dag's and Fawn's marriage, which joins farmer and lakewalker seems be the seed around which the new way of being will form. I'm speculating here. I ordered the next book in the series. I hope it comes soon, because I want to know what happens. This series so far isn't as good as my favorite Bujold book, Cordelia's Honor. But it's been a fun read. The gem so far came from the first book, the idea of Fawn being loved without being valued, and Dag being valued without being loved, neither of which really works or is satisfying. What everyone needs is to be loved and valued both. I find that to be a profound insight that explains why love is sometimes not enough. I'm vowing now (how convenient, right at new years) to both love and value my loved ones more.