I struggled so much with this book, and I'm struggling so much now thinking how to rate it. 
 3 stars seems too little if you take into account the amazing world-building and, like them or not, the good writing of the characters. 
 4 stars seems too much for a book in which I found the first half very boring and the main character selfish in extreme. 
 I dislike Fitz so much! He calls a lot of people "friend" but offers nothing to that friendship. He isn't empathic, he complains about everyone and everything he is asked, he is cocky and belittles every confession or request made to him. I think that friendship and love come with compromise and confidence from BOTH parts, if only one part offers kindness then that is neither friendship nor love. Examples: 
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 1.	He says he loves Molly but doesn't confide in her and doesn't care he is putting her in a difficult position and reputation. He thinks about it, yes, but does nothing. 
 2.	He dismisses Kettricken's need for a confident and a friend, even finding it annoying to call on her 
 3.	He doesn't seem to notice or return the care and protection that Patience gives him. He doesn't confide in her nor shows her affection 
 4.	He dismisses Chade's counsel and his request for trust 
 5.	He treats Burrich like an annoying person who is always nagging him even though it is obvious that despite his coldness Burrich loves him like a son 
 6.	He even forgets to call and report on his King 
 7.	And, the worst of the worst... he attacks the Fool twice. Once verbally when the Fool confides him with his past, just because he didn't like what he said. The other time physically when the Fool asks him something, only stopping because he noticed something on the Fool's face. How the hell can he call him a "friend" after THAT. Not to mention the number of times he has been rude to him 
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 The slow pace of the first part was another thing that bothered me... I almost didn't finished... It took me so long... It starts to get interesting after the 50% mark, the first part just felt like an ongoing narration with no clear plot or objective and no character growth. 
 The second part was much more interesting and I devoured it. 
 Everyone else says the next book has a very boring first half so I'm prepared and determined to finish this series. It is a pity that I think about it as an obligation... but despite everything wrong with the pace and the main character, I love the story and the world. It is full of mysteries and questions yet to be answered.