Well, I did it. I read my first fantasy series in full. I still don't know what I really think of this series. I liked it a lot. I enjoyed the reading experience, though I felt lost a lot of the time. I think I will continue on, and give some more fantasy a try.

As for this book, I didn't expect to cry, but I did. I didn't expect to mourn so much when it was all over, but I did. The story was rich and satisfying. The redemptive arc of all of the characters was just really good to read. Nobody disappointed me. Everyone ended up in the place where they should be. But the story didn't seem contrived or saccharine. It just resolved naturally.

I think this was a good introduction to fantasy writing for me. Maybe it wouldn't be for everyone. The pacing is slow, and not everyone likes that. The story was sometimes hard to follow, but I wonder how much of that is my fault, due to my inexperience with dealing with mythic worlds that have history and mythology and magic. There's a lot to keep track of!

I will definitely be reading more of Guy Gabriel Kay's work in the future.