The Blue Star - Fletcher Pratt

Over the summer I read lots of books that I think would be great to write about. This included The Moon Pool by A. Merritt, Dying Earth by Jack Vance and many stories by Fritz Leiber. I was going to write about one of these stories but decided I would instead write about one I finished more recently.
A couple of weeks ago I finished The Blue Star by Fletcher Pratt. Although the story was originally printed in 1952 as part of a fantasy anthology titled Witches Three and printed by Twayne, the copy I have was printed in 1969 as the first volume of the Ballantine Adult Fantasy series.
I don't want to spoil this too much for anyone that would like to read it (and I recommend that you do) but I will give you some basic information on the setting to get you interested. The story is centered around two primary characters, Lalette Asterhax and Rodvard Bergelin. Lalette's mother is a witch. This makes her one by blood. Witchcraft has been banned in their world and this has forced any remaining witches to hide their abilities from the general public.
Every line of witches possess a gem called a Blue Star. This Blue Star is passed down from generation to generation as witches come of age. Essentially, the star gives the owner the ability to sense true thoughts and feelings when looking into someone's eyes. However, the star does not do this for the witch and it has no power until the witch takes on a lover. At that point, the star is given to the witch's lover to use. If this lover is ever unfaithful, the star loses its power until the witch takes on a new lover and is then passed on to that person.
In the beginning of the story, Lalette is basically having her virginity sold by her mother to a man named Count Cleudi. Lalette doesn't really like the Count so when the opportunity arises to have sex with Rodvard instead, she jumps at it. Rodvard has his own reasons for wanting to have sex with Lalette...her Blue Star. You see, Rodvard is a member of a radical underground group called the Sons of the New Day. They have knowledge of Lalette's Blue Star and have tasked Rodvard with seducing her to get it. They want it so they can use it (through Rodvard) to further their agenda. Rodvard is actually in love with someone else but follows through with his task and takes possession of the Blue Star.
This is where things get interesting. Count Cleudi figures out that Lalette has given her virginity to someone else and attempts to have her arrested (he is a powerful man). The rest of the book follows Rodvard and Lalette while they escape the city and find themselves entwined in a political plot to overthrow the queen.
If I give you much more, it will spoil the story for you. Just go read it. This story has more political intrigue than action but it's a great read.