This trilogy truly lives up to the potential of the first book, a rarity in publishing. I was very much impressed by Shinn's characterizations as well as her ability to balance historical perspective with individual beliefs. The growth of faith and the ultimate transition from a theocracy to a technocracy was amazing. The lapse of time, a couple hundred years, between each book allowed Shinn to explore sociological changes in a highly personalized context. It also gives ample demostration of how historical remembrance shifts to fit the needs of the current time. Her plotting is excellent, her dialogue realistic and her descriptions evocative. All in all an excellent book.