This was a very good book all around. The mid-beginning completely broke away from my expectations. The characters were all good and well-rounded, and though it was a little difficult following all the characters and histories, it wasn't too bad breaking into it. I'll have to go back and read the other books this guy has written. The ending was a little predictable and fell short of my expectations, but Feist has added plenty of suspense for future books in this saga.