I enjoyed this novel. The characters were rich, though I feel like the setting was sometimes overlooked in exchange for "action." (Though I've noticed that is a common trend with more recent fiction.) The story is interesting, if a little on the predictable side. Though the rising action is strong and sticks in your head. There were times I'd have to keep reading long past the time to close the book to get to a calmer spot where I felt I could close the book without questions keeping me awake all night.

Really great read. I'm curious to see where the rest of the series goes.

Though I do kind of hate that this installment of the series doesn't really close. It feels like only one of the plot strings gets tied off in the end, but considering how much time this book really spent more time laying out different strings, it is not a satisfying conclusion. There are so many strings laid out and time spent setting up a larger story that this first installment does not feel like a complete story in and of itself.

Its great that it is part of something larger, but it just makes this one piece feel incomplete and unfinished.

While I would definitely recommend it, I would caution any reader looking for a standalone story that this does not fit into that qualification.