I am a voracious reader, usually of either fairly good fiction or fantasy (escapist reading). This book, and the next two, were suggested by a friend, and made my life very difficult because I can't stop reading them. At 600 pages or so each, thought they would do for a 3-week trip in June, but I have neglected everything and, sadly, finished the third one today. Well written, unusual story,(and surprisingly educational). I only hope that there is a fourth one on the way. These two authoressess are amazing in their descriptive abilities that draw you right into the story. Things get a little bloody sometimes, and it almost seems as if they are trying to remind you that Africa is not a place for the timid - perhaps a little too much - but it is the first time that I have felt that I wanted to visit Africa.