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Why did I hate this book so much? One word sums it up: manroot. Possibly the worst euphemism that I have ever been unlucky enough to read. I swear the sex scenes are so unsexy, it almost ruined my actual sex life.

A little plot summary: Lara's father and stepmother sell her into slavery so he can buy nice clothes and armor so he can try out to be a knight. Lara is cool with this, because they are poor and she is the only thing of value that her dad has. Lara's mother is a fairy, who seduced her dad and then abandoned them. Lara will probably become a "pleasure woman" (uh, prostitute) but things don't work out that way. She can't be sold, since she's so perfect that everyone will fight over her and she'll ruin business for everyone. (apparently, on this world everyone has exactly the same sexual taste, they all prefer blonds.) Lara ends up going on a journey to be sold somewhere else, and other stuff happens. Really, who cares? This book begins with some characterization, but then gets bored with that and describes what happens. No one is really sketched out with much detail, and the world building is haphazard, at best.

Lara is also one of the worst Mary Sues I have seen in a while. She perfect in every way, beautiful, smart, wise (beyond her years), diplomatic, a shrewd bargainer and has perfect fashion sense. She masters every skill with ease: Innate fairy birth control? Check. Expert swordswoman? Check. Shape-shifting? Easy. Starting fires by pointing at wood? Child's play. I could go on...

Don't read this book. If you want to read a fantasy with a strong female protagonist, try Jacqueline Carey's "Kushiel's Dart" or Lois Bujold's "Paladin of Souls" or P.C. Hodgell's "Godstalk." Just don't waste your time with this book.