The reason this has got 4 stars, and not 5, is that some of the more 'unsavoury' moments felt unnecessary and uncomfortable. But apart from that? This was an engaging, exciting read. I was pleasantly surprised by how character-driven it was; while about three-quarters of the book was negotiating and plotting, it still kept my attention as much as an action-packed battle would. All the characters I either loved, hated to love, or hated; I don't think there was a single character that I don't have a particularly strong opinion about.