I like the opening, the stage setting, where Jacky states clearly that the 30 years war provides the scenery, or the stage, on which she has painted this wonderful 17th century story. It is not a historically accurate tale, but she has really done her "homework" so that you are totally immersed in the period. There is a cast of dozens of characters. If you are one who reads little bits of a book at a time over a period, you could lose track of who is who, but they are compartmentalised in the different areas that the plot covers, as we move from country to country. This is a great read!