Taya is a messenger with aspirations of ascending to the diplomat corps and traveling the world. Not all societies are as caste-bound as her own and she is curious. Her life changes the day she saves an Exalted Lady and her son from a sabotaged vehicle. She is introduced into the Exalted society and makes the accidental acquaintance of an Exalted who lives with the famulate, Cristof. The two of them happen into a mystery that involves numerous incidents of sabotage or terrorism, a missing clockwork program and the death of Cristof’s Exalted brother.

The worldbuilding was very good but not excellent. I hope that improves as this might be a more interesting world. The characters of Taya and Cristof were well described. I liked the idea of how they wrote programs for their ‘great’ machines. The mystery that held it all together was a bit weak but it was an enjoyable read. The next one is due out in 2014. ~~ Catherine Book