I had quotes marked in between my comments for this section, decided to keep them in my comments.

“It all depends on this fucking war”
Well … there goes the country.
“the winning-side dead are heroes and the losing-side dead were just suckers who deserved it.”
I think my favorite part of this book were Bassano’s letter home (to Basso). Clear portraits of war. I’m a sucker for anti-war sentiment, so I may keep my commentary here brief so I don’t delve into actual politics in the real world. But I think regardless of who you are, what side you are on, Bassano’s simplification of war to “Sides” really sums it up. To me, that is what it comes down to. People fight on the side they happen to be on (much like they happen to follow the religion they happened to be born into), and kill the people on the other side, whose main difference is that they happened to be on an opposing side. People are people everywhere. What side they fight on is a matter of circumstance usually. Sad truth when they humanize the enemy (the “other” side).
Moving on … Basso really seemed to be falling apart this section. It was like he was turning into his father, relying on other people (like General Gnatho) to make really important, strategic decisions. He was asking questions of his advisors, looking to them to make decisions when at any other time he was issuing orders. What caused this change? Had he grown too dependent on Aelius and Antigonus?
Two sides of the same coin; and there’s no such thing as good or bad luck. Things just happen.
Melsuntha did end up being a spy. I was suspicious of her, mainly because Basso confided in her so much. Do you think Basso would have really not invaded Mavortis if she had spoken against it? I actually think he may have refrained. I think Melsuntha restored some level of humanity to him, perhaps he will find a way to retain it.
And the end? Another stroke of luck for Basso? What do you expect will happen once he starts working in Auxentine?
“Maybe it’s your lucky day.”
So ... overall, I really enjoyed this book. I don't know what I expected going in, but I do know it likely wasn't this. Great book, story, loved Basso and all his flaws. And I really enjoyed reading a book that seemed to mirror so many modern day conflicts/concerns.