Sutton's writing style is reminiscent of Jim Butcher's Dresden Files series. Malfus feels somewhat like a noir protagonist pushed into a fantasy world, but it blends well. The setting isn't what I expected it to be - it did tell me on the back of the book, but somehow I thought they'd continue to progress on their journey - which was a pleasant surprise. Malfus's continued  to reference himself and his style of speech as sarcastic, throughout the book, though such self referential moments did become more sporadic as the novel progressed. The beginning of the book, in that regard, felt poorly edited with the character telling us how we should perceive him over and over. I think a few of those edge lord comments could have been sacrificed for more substance, and I would have enjoyed the character more from the jump.

I found it refreshing that while Malfus was the protagonist, he was not necessarily empathetic as a person. He's selfish, greedy, and devoted to the necromantic arts. When his relation to the inquisitor/why it is the inquisitor hates him so much is revealed, Malfus isn't redeemed. He's just a man who did bad things, which became worse things, and he is continuing to do bad things in an attempt to right one of the worst of his wrongs. I did really enjoy the comradery of the soldiers as well as the abbreviated way they're forced to grieve while under siege.  The switching of perspectives as we watch the young soldiers die was one of the most heart wrenching parts of the book. It spikes in quality very quickly, so if you have a lukewarm reaction to the first chapter or two, keep going.