I highly recommend reading the intro in the hardcover edition discussing Abercrombie‘s feelings towards the book. It released some rap what iPhone to be true in the book regarding tone, understanding, inspiration, etc. this is definitely a grim fantasy and I found myself a very attached the characters within the first 50 to 60% and not caring watch about the plot. However, once we got to the 70 to 75% marker I was fully engrossed in the plot and the characters! I usually don’t read books like this, and have a big book phobia cola, but I will definitely read the rest of the series!