I nearly gave up on this book after the first chapter. It smacked of someone who was trying too hard. In the synopsis of the first book the author uses the word “epic” twice in close succession. Each time the word was applied to an event that didn’t seem epic in the first book. The first line of the first chapter struck me as trying to be profound but failing miserably, becoming simply a non sequitur. Fortunately, my own natural curiosity and the intrigue of the Council of Elders in the second chapter saved things a bit.

Even so, however, the author seemed determined to drag out every fantasy cliche possible. There were developments that could be spotted from a mile off-such as Sloan, Arya and “Eldest”. Even the name of the King’s group of assassins-the Black Hand—was wildly unoriginal.

Though in his favour I did read the entire book. So it can’t be all bad.