"We need a new best-selling fantasy series; what are going to use as a hook?" "Well, how about a female Conan-esque figure, with lots of sex, rape, and BDSM?" "Hey, why don't we add some of that Law/Chaos duality to bring in those Moorcock goths?" "Brilliant!" Or so I imagine a editorial discussion prior to the release of this series. Highly derivative is a mild way of putting it; a guilty pleasure for me, but not recommended. ( )