This first half of this book, while enjoyable, creates some story points that are ignored entirely in the second half. This would make sense if the back flap blurb didn't clue the reader to the huge twist coming. As it stands I waited through half the book for the axe to drop - but when it did? Boy howdy, that's a lot of dead characters. It was exciting, violent, and way over the top, which is where this series is at its best. I look forward to the impending war because battle is where these books are most fun!