4.5 Stars. I'm not quite sure what I was expecting but this was an entertaining albeit not an easy read--it is definitely not a book in which you can skim or you will certainly be confused. Liss weaves an intricate plot of politcal and financial intrigue during the post-Revolutionary Whiskey Rebellion. There are two story lines: Ethan Saunders--a very flawed "anti-hero" type, wrongly accused of being a traitor but finds himself on a path that may help restore his reputation while trying to save the country and woman he loves; and Joan Maycott--a woman whose life was turned upside down by financial speculators and who seeks revenge. Although I preferred Maycott's story line I couldn't help but enjoy reading about the lecherous, egotistical, damaged, yet clever character of Saunders more. Liss did a phenomenal job of creating such an interesting protagonist. I also appreciated Liss' depiction of Leonidas, Suanders' slave, who is unlike any other slave I've read about in novels.
In these recent economic challenging times, a reader of this novel may certainly find him/herself wrought with some emotion in response to the story
