Rare to get to the end of a 1210 page book and wish there were 400-odd more pages to it. Contrary to some of the other reviews I really didn't mind the transliteration as I thought it gave perspective on how people talked, which was an important part of how characters interact in the novel. The intrigues were delightful to follow through to their conclusions. I can see why people might dislike the ending but it fits the book completely for me even if it didn't perform any wish fulfilment for the reader.

Where I do agree with previous posts is the pacing. The first few chapters are not friendly to engage with but once the main character gets more agency a few chapters in then the story opens up.