Ag, this is a tough one. I really liked the story; the world is well fleshed-out, the intrigue is, well, intriguing, but... 
 - I couldn't relate to any character. Something kept me from getting close. 
 - I kept thinking of the Order in terms of Ajah, with the seventh order obviously winning the Black Ajah palm. 
 - I really, really think that making the antagonist into this hazy Sauron-like dark fiend was an easy way out. Now I've grown wary of where this book wants to take me, cause I'm getting deja vu warnings all over the place. They're still warnings, for now. One can only hope.