Alexander's focus presently seems to be on exploring cultures ancient and modern in different parts of the world. The Iron Ring focuses on ancient India, The Arkadians focuses on the roots of Ancient Greek culture, and The Remarkable Journey of Prince Jen focuses on ancient China. This novel shares with The Iron Ring a quest structure and features a Prince (instead of a king) journeying north to a fabled kingdom. It also features a low-born young woman who becomes the bride of the prince, eccentric companions including wise men, and fabulous animals. Although this may make The Iron Ring seem to be a repeat of The Remarkable Journey of Prince Jen in a different setting, the two books are otherwise distinct: the characterizations are different, the interactions with animals are much more extensive in The Iron Ring, and the cultures portrayed are markedly dissimilar. The Fortune...