I tried it! The second book in the series is set in Tenai’s world and there are a lot of politics that the doctor and his daughter have to guess at. If anything the palace intrigue was flattened by the two outsiders just trying to figure stuff out or being told capsule summaries of the relationships among the people who’d known each other for years. Unusual in its focus on not starting a war, and perhaps in the doctor’s desire to put modern psychological concepts to work on these magic-using feudalists. ( )

Sixteen years after The Year's Midnight, Daniel has become friends with his former patient Tenai and his daughter Jenna is graduating college. When an enemy summons Tenai back to her own world, the spell brings Daniel and Jenna with her. While Daniel and Jenna adjust to life in a different new world, Tenai tries to avoid re-starting a war.

This story quietly simmers with tension -- until suddenly it boils over. I liked seeing the portal-fantasy-experience from the perspective of a middle-aged father, that’s definitely different! And, as with Neumeier’s other stories, I really liked the characters’ interactions -- I quickly became invested, wanting to see certain characters get along with each other, even as I appreciated that this wouldn’t happen easily.

I particularly enjoyed the contrast of Daniel and Jenna’s relationships with Tenai compared with how everyone else views her. In Tenai’s world, she’s a legendary figure, dangerous, warlike and awe-inspiring. But to Daniel she’s a close friend whose emotional wellbeing he’s allowed to question and express concern about, and to Jenna, she’s been a martial arts instructor and remains an important mentor.

Daniel said, “Tenai ... is Keitah Terusai-e your enemy, now?”
Her dark eyes turned to him at once. “I should not imagine so, Daniel. Though I understand why you inquire. But once Terusai-e has opportunity to reflect, I believe he, too, will perceive the hand of God in the remarkable chance that set his brother in my way. Indeed, one could hardly mistake it.”
Jenna made a little sound, and, when Tenai’s attention turned to her, asked, “Do you really think God made your paths cross?” Clearly she wanted the answer to be Yes. Daniel could see that his daughter found the whole story terribly romantic — a tragic romance: the mistake made in youth followed by ten years in exile, and then — one presumed — redemption. Only, Daniel knew, as his daughter had not yet discovered, that redemption is not always so easy to come by. And that the real world does not always feel compelled to follow the desired storyline. ( )