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I'm absolutely enthralled by this story. I never expected to be, because I normally don't like the fantasy genre at all - but it's obvious now that I've just been reading the wrong kind of fantasy. ;-)

Things that I at this very moment especially love (in no particular order):

- brotherly love. And not "Living" type of brotherly love, but brotherly love that is all about support, strength, listening, understanding.. The whole after-meal scene between Orinakin and Selorin was lovely (and for some reason and quite unexpectedly I found Selorin unbraiding his hair very erotic). The "I love you" scene in the bed was just too beautiful for words.
- how the belam system is decribed. Sometimes, the word "harem" does bring unfortunate images - forced servitude, human trafficking, inhuman treatment - but there's nothing like that at all here. I love the way the belas are not meek, quiet, submissive receptacles, but quite proactive and not afraid to tempt and suggest and even push.. I get the impression that the belas really love what they do, and they have a choice whether they do it or not. This seems like a society where everyone has a strenght and is particularly talented in something, and for the belas it's sex. I also feel that the belas don't have any negative stigma attached to them, and it's actually quite a big honour to be a bela. I look forward to maybe learning more of the whole belam system and how it works.
- the whole "rainbow" metaphor and how the princes look. It's an absolutely brilliant idea.

Characters then. Hmm.. Sacrilege, I know, but.. *whispers* I don't really care for Rini that much. *ducks* I mean I of course don't hate him or anything! He just... annoys me a bit. Obviously just more proof how well written "In This Land" is. The characters, already at this stage, are really well composed and each have a strong personality. And I understand fully why Rini is like he is - he's still so very young, and more than that, his situation (not having a predefined destiny of his own) must be quite difficult to deal with. On the other hand, I have a feeling that no other character will grow mentally in the course of the story as much as Rini will, and I'm very much looking forward to seeing that.

My ABSOLUTE favourite character is Orinakin. I love and adore him beyond all reason. His wisdom, his quiet strength of character and sense of devotion to his country, and his maturity beyond his years. I feel so sorry for him because it's obvious he is developing feelings for Bade, and I know that if it should happen that Kudorin selects Bade, Orinakin will accept it without protest, no matter how much it breaks his heart.