This is not my favorite Vance book (that honor goes to Eyes of the Overworld), not by a long shot but it shares so many characteristics that make Vance's books such a joy to read. Every Jack Vance book I've read demonstrate such fantastic knowledge about so many aspects of the world and this book is no exception. You need only read Vance's descriptions of the kind of music his characters play or the kind of dishes available at the many inns to get a glimpse of how much you might be missing out on in this world. The behavior, motivations and reactions of each of his characters are explained so concisely and masterfully that I dont think anything can be added/subtracted to make it better. I dont know of any author who is better at analyzing the range of human emotions than JV.