The whole book is an attempt to follow the rules typical of the “Karat cycle.” The hero isn’t some overpowered “me-me-me” superman; he survives in an extremely harsh and not-so-kind world while keeping his humanity as much as possible, but at the same time he develops his strength in the specifics of Ullya’s world—where a great deal is determined by magical gifts and equipment. Yesterday’s student, a junior-year Nicholas, turns into the leader of raiders, the sensational Radar. Step by step, despite everyone who wants to eat him—whether toothy or reasonable, mighty or vile—he becomes a well-known ataman, the one whose name sounds, friends love, and enemies hate. The book is well seasoned with action and, in places, with black humor.