Although Twilight of a Queen is the fifth in a series, I didn't actually realize this until I had been reading for a little while. The author makes it easy to follow the story and learn about the characters as they are introduced into this tale.

Although the novel focuses chiefly on Captain Xavier, a pirate who finds himself washed up on an island of 'daughters of the earth' (read white witches), and on Lady Jane Danvers, a widow without an obvious future or role on the island, we also read the tale from the point of view of Catherine de Medici, mother of King Henry of France, and of Meg Wolfe, a young witch on the island. The variety of points of view adds some interest, although I felt at times that I knew more about Meg than about Jane, who is a surprisingly quiet heroine.

Mixed in with the historical aspects as the Spanish Armada prepares to sail against Britain, we read of sorcery, scrying glasses, necromancers, trances, etc. Catherine de Medici is an evil queen who is trying to have Meg Wolfe kidnapped, using Captain Xavier to carry out her dirty work. But Xavier has finally found someone who can make him put his heretofore wasteful and amoral life behind him - if she can trust him.

The pacing of Twilight of a Queen is good and the events well written. I was left feeling a little unsure how hero and heroine, so different from each other, would deal with each other in the long term, but this is definitely worth a read.