I really struggled with this book.

I've been wanting to read it since it came out and have started it a few times but it never engaged me initially. This time I forced myself to push through the book, and I think I understand my issues with it.

The first 40% of the book is plot driven, not character. The characters have an interesting back story, but they have no meaningful relationships.

About 40% into the novel, we see some relationships start and flourish. This is when I found myself wanting to continue reading. Then that just ended, and we moved back to plot driven.

So, in a reversal of most novels, I found the beginning and the end lacking in meaningful character development while the middle of the book flourished.