I absolutely enjoyed reading this harem book, it is definitely for a mature audience because of the explicit sex scenes in it, however these are tastefully described. Ymir is a barbarian from the cold North, a prince of the black wolf clan where the northern people of the tundra feared and despised magic as they were a superstitious people, so when Ymir was cursed with magic which he could not control he found himself exiled from his home, family and clan which were the only things meaningful in his life. He travelled in dire conditions to the South to Old Ironbound the University which taught the Southern rich and powerful how to harness their magic and he sat for the open exam. Ymir was arrogant and different in the eyes of the Southern people but where they were expecting a true savage, Ymir proved that he was intelligent and could read and write even if only in pidgin. He made many enemies at the university both amongst his fellow students as well as amongst his professors based on their prejudices however he also made many friends who respected his strength and perseverance. Many feared he had no dusza but he proved them wrong in this perception of him too! Amongst his friends he fell in love with Lillee, the elf princess from Greenhome, who was also an outcast and branded as sullied and Jennybelle, the rich princess from Josen, who was spoilt and as a second daughter only there to find a husband for her elder sister, however, she had not banked on meeting the barbarian. Jennybelle was not an outcast till she decided to throw all caution to the wind and take charge of her own life. In the South after the withering there were hardly any men left and many women could not bear children and when some gave birth it was usually to girls so men were a scarce commodity, and the women were hot and randy and the barbarian suddenly realised that what he had considered a curse might turn into a blessing in more ways than one. A very exciting story, full of heartbreak and love, prejudice and hatred for difference, magic and courage to chose the path in life our three outcasts chose to live breaking with all their different traditions and expectations. I am dying to read book 2 and follow the lives these three will forge as I am sure they are all meant for greatness!