I had a little understanding Rupert's actions because I didn't have a clue on the rules of magic, the strengths, etc. Why couldn't he use his magic in certain situations? I like that he was supposedly young and a touch inexperienced. Also, he was supposed to be the one around which the Koryfonic Empire fell apart, but it never really did - kind of a false conflict. I did believe that he cared about those he was supposed to watch over.

I would have liked a little more in support of Rupert and Maree's eventual 'coming together' - Jones did try to show it, I just wanted a little more of them thinking of and falling for the other in spite of themselves.

I didn't think of Maree as annoying once we had her POV. The whole dance thing in the middle of the street (what, they couldn't pull over?) seemed really bad. The POV shift was what caused her to become sympathetic to the reader (beyond the father, who is not a father, dying of cancer). That she asks the favor for him in Babylon (a place I never really understood - an alternate Earth-history place/univers??) was really a nice touch. That Nick needs to also become selfless at that point is great.

Maree I did like. Her opinion of Rupert did have some stubble changes that happened throughout the story, but I didn't see it as love. I'll give on that point . . . it wasn't upsetting.

Nick... Barring the end, I thought he was great. The end was boring, and served to justify Nick doing the right thing over his own desires. We had already seen that Nick cared for Maree, that would have justified the uncharacteristic choice. Oh well.

Some other characters could have been a bit better . . . but the story was good enough to carry it.

Still, I enjoyed it.