The Winds of Khalakovo by Bradley P. Beaulieu My rating: 3 of 5 stars I’m really torn here. There are parts of the book that scream 4-star, and others that demand 2-star. Most of it is one or the other, with the rest falling in the middle. In the end, that’s what I’m using for the overall rating. Pros: Worldbuilding . I love the way the aristocracy is set up and the structure of the Duchy. There’s serious potential with the Motherland (I forget what it’s called) to the West and other geographical areas. Intrigue. Awesome. The political maneuverings of the different houses, shifting alliances and all. Again, real potential in future volumes. This is one area where it reminded me of the structure of the Dune universe. Culture. Fascinating . I love that Beaulieu’s going away from the typical Western European flavor. When most authors do that, they end up with an Asian or Native American culture feel. While those can be fun, I love that he’s taken it another step in the alternative d...