The 2nd installment to this series is a great read, with the Lightborn's politics and magic interweaving nicely in and out with the Darkborn's continuing story. And although it does in fact introduce the lightborn into the storyline, it does not really give Mistress Floria as much time or development as I expected. As a review in Amazon pointed out, she was supposed to be the warrior to Telmaine's lady, etc but her character is ultimately one-dimensional. This becomes particularly evident when compared to Telmaine or even to other characters in the Lightborn society, such as the Prince or the mage Tam. She continues to be at the center of the action and yet her fearful and prejudiced mindset becomes an annoying interruption in the flow of the story. I could go on about it but then I'd sound just like her character. Suffice it to say that "Lightborn" accomplishes much despite having to drag her along. I hope that "Shadowborn" somehow resolves this issue.