This book had more of the Abercrombie dry wit humor that I was hoping for compared to the first book in this series but I just wasn't feeling it. Not bad. It just isn't what I want to read right now. I was going to throw it back down into the black hole that is my TBR. Instead I'll be honest and admit there is much more to read in the world and life is such that few get second chances. 

I just wasn't enjoying it. I might try it again an other time in physical form but it's going to the bottom of the pile. 

I wouldn't recommend the audio book. It's not the type of story that's easy to listen to. However, I don't think that's a good excuse for the book. I've listened to plenty of intricate books before and still enjoyed the read. Just because you built an interesting world doesn't mean it has good world building. 

The biggest disappointment here was the humor. I heard this was funny but it didn't land for me. 

In the introduction to this book King talks about writing as Richard Bachman and explains that for him it's a different voice. A rainy day voice . It's not like there was an extreme difference from the other King novels I have read. However, there was something about it that did not click with me. The biggest contributing factor was the main POV. The angry rants were not enjoyable to listen to. Maybe I would have been able to get through it if I read it physically. Unfortunately I'm not really that interested in how it turns out. 

I read for enjoyment. I do not enjoy reading a story that is pure disgusting misery. Starts out way too childish. Reading a child's perspective is only fun if it's a harry potter vibe. Then it gets serious with the child abuse. It's simple and matter of fact but way too graphic. I find that type of shock value unimpressive. It's not what I thought this story was going to be. Disappointed and disturbed.

I don't DNF lightly. I want to enjoy the books I pick up but I just couldn't get into the story. I just didn't like the writing. From a narrative standpoint it's kind of boring. The plot is ridiculous. And the characters are flats. I also get the feeling that the author voted for Trump. Its that kind of vibe.