I'm not getting my copy until the 12th, according to Amazon, damn them, but I can list some of the issues I'm interested in seeing addressed/ resolved/murkified. In the Vladiad, we see that Baritt was the leading Dragon at some point previous to his offing (in circumstances that I think remain entirely murky, rather unreasonably given the Jhereg-Dragon war worries in _J_ and Vlad's general curiosity.) Is he going to make an appearance (not that there are too few characters in play already)? In _Vingt Ans Apres_, Dumas opposes D'Artagnan and Porthos to Athos and Aramis in a question of politics, greatly rounding out the characters in the process. I can't see Aerich, who is concerned about ending up in conflict with Pel, or Khaavren, whose son is in Zerika's camp, or Tazendra, a Lavode, being allied with Kana. I can't really see Pel actively working against his friends, or Zerika, for that matter. So I don't see how the conflict forshadowed in Aerich's oddly-sent letter will unfold. As there are two volumes yet to come, and the enthronement of Zerika would seem to be the major impetus of the trilogy, I wonder how the plot will be sustained. Kana doesn't seem like a credible opponent for Sethra and the Orb and (most of - see below) the Gods (and the SiG and StY and the Necromancer and ...) I would think that the Athyra and Lyorn will support Zerika, and I don't see why the other noble houses wouldn't, including the 2/3 of the Dragons not in Kana's empire. Maybe the J. will intervene. Maybe Grita will actually start killing people she wants to kill when they're undefended. Since presumably she doesn't know any Orb-sorcery, that will be a bit less likely than previously. We see Verra going to some trouble to send witches West - presumably they will play some important role in the coming events, but not in such a way that witchcraft will become prevalent in the Empire. In _Issola_, hc pg 136/7, Teldra says Tri'nagore isn't heard from much any more - sounds like he's going to get stomped on - also Paarfi's treatment of him isn't very respectful. We need to see Morollan charging up Dzur Mountain looking for tribute at some point (see _Issola_ somewhere). Will Mora (the bandit lieutenant) turn out to be a Tiassa? She seems to have some foresight (pg 171). Khaavren is in harness in _Phoenix_ (or is it _Teckla_?) looking grim - apparently the events in the next two volumes leave him employed, though I would have thought he would leave the action to Piro after the Interregnum. Another loose end I'm wondering about: Tortaalik's sister, exiled long ago - could she be the 2nd Phoenix the Gods mention in _TPotD_?