I've never read any Modesitt before, but I was hoping to find more of a Robin Hobb style. I don't mind a slow story, even prefer it when it comes to SFF. But this book does take that to a new level. The amount of detail is ridiculous - down to how far up on the wall a sign is in yards. I was willing to go along with that in order to read a good story, but unfortunately the characters are very bland. It reminds me of when I tried Inda by Sherwood Smith. I have the feeling there's some dense political intrigue here, which I enjoy, but not from the POV of a flat, nothing character.