I'm trying to make an effort this year to read more trilogies and book series, which I clearly need more practice with because I was initially confused why this book left so many plot points unresolved. You know, the first book in a trilogy that has two other full-length novels coming after it that continue the same story? Yeah, that one.

As far as hard fantasy with elaborate settings go, this felt very accessible. Sure the worldbuilding was intriguing and logical enough to make me want to buy into it, but the narration style was oddly conversational and didn't feel like it was being dictated to me from some detached entity telling me about events secondhand. This also had one of the best-executed uses of second-person narration that will stick with me for a long while.

And because I'm coming to this series very late (coming up on 10 years since first publication) I already had the central 'twist' about our three protagonists spoiled before beginning the book, but I feel I would've deduced it pretty early on. Which isn't to say it wasn't done well, in fact, it made for an interesting exercise to juggle three plot lines simultaneously. I'm excited to see if and how the sequels will attempt something similarly complex.

Also I'm now convinced that every story would be improved by adding a bisexual pirate captain that no one can resist. Didn't know I wanted it until I got that here.

A promising first entry that I definitely will be following up on.