After the first chapter, Black Sun felt a bit slow for me until about the midpoint. But once I got there, I was completely invested in the unique magical world, the characters, and the complicated politics. I love how the four POV characters had voices, personalities, values, and backgrounds that made them feel like THE protagonist while we were in their perspective. In that way, this novel came the closest to feeling like ASOIAF for me. I've already checked out the sequel.