If you are expecting a great adventure, full of fights, Fitz using his axe and gaining a few new scars, this book will not meet your expectations. 
 Let's be honest, nothing much happens in this book till the last couple of chapters. So, what do these 700 pages tell if nothing happens? 
 1.	We have a lot of catching up with every character and Fitz's life together with Molly 
 2.	A new voice is introduced to the story. Although at first I was a bit reluctant to have other narrator besides Fitz, it turns out for the best. This new character is amazing and extremely interesting, and gives the story a breath of fresh air. We spend a lot of time getting to know her and discovering a few of her secrets, ones even she doesn't understand. 
 3.	Mysterious pale messengers appear, but are hunted and most of them killed. 
 4.	There is a lot of tension built regarding the Fool. We know a reunion is coming, we don't know when or how or where, but it is hinted from the beginning. The pale messengers add a little mystery to it and make us wonder if he is ok or in need of help. 
 Robin Hobb's books have always been more of the characters than the plot. If you got this far in the series you already know this and I dare say like it, so give this book a try despite its slow pace. The new voice in the narration is worth it.