By the time I stopped, I couldn't stand what I was reading anymore. Two stars because of a compelling, if slow, beginning, likable humans and a solid grasp of using the English language. And by stopping now, it keeps that extra star; if I'd forced myself to finish the book, it might have dropped down to one. 
 I'd really, really wanted to like this book. I was so excited by it. I had such expectations. Even now I hope later books are better. I'm going to tell myself they are. They're possibly just not to my taste.