This was my first book in this world, and first by either of these authors. It got off to a rocky start, with a few unbelievable scenarios in short order. For example, when Dennis Hartraft has his encounter with the Dark Elf scout while circling the burnt-out fort, the author tries to tell us that this battle-hardened veteran of nine years is recovering from his near-death experience and thus not so quick on the escaping part that his comrade urges him to. This really doesn't work. I did nearly give up on it, but it did get past those bits, and drew me in about halfway through. It still had bits that grated, where it seemed the author was simply trying too hard - "foot wrappings" instead of boots, "countenance" instead of face, etc - but these were small enough to overlook. I will try more Riftwar books, since I have them, but I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone.