Grimdark Fantasy discussion

Finished? Thoughts?

Complete read discussion below.

**SPOILERS ABOUND**

It took me a while to get into this one. I was lured in slowly and completely hooked before I knew what was happening. Or was this just part of the plot. Then just as things were really starting to happen, I turn the page and it's titled "acknowledgements". The world is coming along really well but there seems to be a lot that is yet to be even started on. I would have said that there were some really good characters developing, but my favs have just been killed. Or has she? One thing, please don't Rothfuss me.

I really loved the writing and characters, but I admittedly had trouble following everything that was happening. Not quite Malazan levels of complexity, but still a lot going on. I still really enjoyed it and am looking forward to the follow up. She's got a really good story in the Evil Is A Matter Of Perspective anthology set in this same world if you're looking for something to hold you over until then.

I finished this in one day. Overall I liked it - worldbuilding and characters - but I had issues with the pacing and change of POVs. For example when we got to the revelation on the involvement of the First Mother, the story suddenly moved to another and we only got the info about the assassination almost at the end of the book. I wished we could see the confrontation fleshed out.

The characters, I found some really engaging especially Daru and Jian. I think I have a soft spot on the underdogs. I hope Daru is okay though, his last chapter was confusing and ended too abruptly.