Killashandra's plot puts McCaffrey's hero through a series of adventures in order to discover the secrets hidden by the placid Optherian rulers. Frequently, McCaffrey breaks off the chapter at a cliff-hanging moment, which helps the novel maintain a rapid pace. Killashandra also assumes a series of disguises: as a guileless music student for Corish (another spy for the FSP), a lusty island wench for Lars Dahl before she reveals her identity to him, and a demanding, masterful Heptite Guild member for the Optherian Council. Frequently, Lars Dahl wonders which woman he loves. This woman of many disguises and roles performs, as her training would imply, like a fine opera diva.

In spite of the warmth generated by Killashandra's relationships with her beloved Lars Dahl and the annoying Optheria Council, Killashandra herself comes from a rather cold and distant world. Her home world of Fuerte...