The Hounds of God is a traditionally told fantasy novel. Crucial events occur in quick succession. Arcane duels are fought with light and whirlwinds and mind-enhanced weapons. The hero, Alf, has to learn a power he has formerly disdained, when he shapeshifts into a leopard in order to track down Thea in the Roman ruins.

This novel, and the whole trilogy, do differ some in structure and feel from the usual medieval-setting fantasy.

Rather than build a separate fantasy world out of historical and mythical elements, Tarr has incorporated the mythical into the real world of history.

The books are rich in historical detail.

The Golden Horn, which the author herself describes as a term paper run mad, vividly describes the crusaders' siege of Constantinople. The Hounds of God shows scenes of the half-wasted, half-glorious Rome of the medieval papacy, a setting more honored in church histories than...