Asphahani has a real gift for setting the scene. From the very first lines, following Maxan the vulpine humanoid on his shadow mission to track the hyena-man, Yakub, I am immediately drawn in as if I am Maxan's own shadow along for the ride. The city of Crosswall, with its intricate rooftop world is the perfect place to start this story where animal hybrids conspire and clash. It's clear that the author is a master worldbuilder and is excited to share his creation with us. I'm not sure what to expect from the plot, only the promise that it will deliver lots of intrigue and interesting characters, which after all, is what good storytelling is all about.