Dahoud; "The Black Besieger" has had his fill of war and rape. He elects to leave his life and re-invent himself. We have all tried that....to some degree of success. His demon is called a Djinn. Mine is similar to Gin, so apart from the rape and pillage I could already empathise with this character.

An editor once said to me that fantasy is a defined genre. I do not believe this to be the case. What I took from this book was not orcs versus elves...because there were none. More an emotional battle of two people whose circumstance and not their good intent, kept them apart.

I felt Merida, the Storm Dancer from Riverland, understood Teruma and I know people like Kirral....though to a percentage of his hatefulness. If you enjoy a political and emotional fantasy  as I do; you will love this book. If it is Wizards laying waste to vast tracts of land with no personal expense....then try something different.

I shall look forward to more and certainly seek out Rayne Halls other works.

http://www.amazon.com/Storm-Dancer-Dark-Fantasy-ebook/dp/B005MJFV58

I downloaded this book yesterday; I finished it today. That in itself is as good as any positive review. The characters are well written, even sideline characters such as Brendan the Gypsy leap off the page. From Bethnal Green to Sevilla Columbia this fast passed thriller works. At times it could linger around a bit longer; I would have liked to know the rest of the tale about Fairfax Hall. You can't have everything and the pace of the book kept me reading. 
The book synopsis covers the story, so I don't feel there is much point in expanding that here. What I can tell you is this; the author makes you feel and smell the scenes.You live inside the characters and understand their interactions.
Overall a great début novel from an author who should be proud of his first stab at writing. Try it.....What have you got to loose? But seat belts on first.

Available at smashwords www.smashwords.com/books/view/253627