background: the mid-nineteenth century background to this book, especially the descriptions of the drovers and the terrible conditions suffered by soldiers and horses in the Crimean War, are very well described and detailed.
plot: this is essentially a love story and also showing the way in which the young lovers changed and matured due to the circumstances they found themselves in. there is plenty of tension and an interesting denouement.
characterisation: characters major and minor are well drawn, realistic and empathetic.