ʌnlˈaɪk sˌʌm wˈɜːks ʌv hˈaɪ fˈæntəsi, tʃˈɛɹi mˌeɪks ɐ klˈɪɹ dɪstˈɪŋkʃən bᵻtwˌiːn wˈɪzɚdɹi lˈɜːnd lˈaɪk ɹˈaɪɾɪŋ ænd mˌæθɪmˈæɾɪks, sˈoːɹsɚɹi fˈoːɹs ʌv kˈæɹɪktɚ ænd mˈædʒɪk bˈɔːɹn ɡˈɪft ɪn ðɪs sˈɪɹiz.
Unlike some works of high fantasy, Cherryh makes a clear distinction between wizardry (learned like writing and mathematics), sorcery (force of character) and magic (born gift) in this series.