When I started this book, I expected to love it, mostly because of all of the people who had recommended it to me, and all the good reviews I had read. Not to mention the awards it has won. I didn't love it. Through the first several chapters I mostly found it tedious and boring. I had a hard time getting myself to read further. 
 But I'm glad I pushed through because it finally reached a point where the story became really engaging. By the final few chapters, I was completely enthralled. Interestingly, I've read other reviews here that say exactly the opposite; some people loved the beginning and then felt it went downhill. 
 One of my biggest problems with the beginning section of the book was with the magic system. At times I felt it was inconsistent and occasionally a bit too convenient without any set structure. Another problem I had was with some of the characterizations and people acting stupidly and not communicating. Almost all of the drive of the plot for the first few chapters depended on a misunderstanding, caused by a simple lack of communication. It felt lazy. 
 Once the story moved past the awkward beginning and things actually started happening, some of them terrible and gut wrenching, the story became so much better. The climax at the end made sense and I was really happy because the author explained any open questions and wrapped it all up in a really satisfying way.