First of all I didn't expect to like Hrathen as much as I did. 

Have mixed feelings about the exposition but loved the lore. The pacing on the last part felt too rushed, but the ending was a satisfactory one— and once in a while it's nice to read something that you know is going to end well, despite it all. 

Sarene was an interesting character, despite her falling into the I'm Not Like Other Women cliché at times. Would've loved to see her interacting with other women, though. 

Also if I were Galladon and the (very white)  prince of Arelon made up a stereotypical brownface persona of my people, I would simply kick his ass.