For such a thick book it had very little actual plot, and after managing to slog through the entire thing, I had no incentive to read the next two books (which are apparently even thicker!). The pacing is far too slow, and being the first of a trilogy, I understand that this is the author's chance to introduce her world and characters, but nothing really interesting happens except for the occasional appearance of a Indian boy who seems to exist for the sole purpose of creating a sense of mystery in the narrative, and is never really explained. Even the characters are just as flat and uninteresting, and annoying at some parts. I have a really hard time believing that any of the main characters actually, genuinely liked each other.