I agree with a lot of the other readers in that this book was really hard to get into and had way too much politics for me. It felt like it was 80% middle. The best part was probably the last 100-150 pages. I just felt there was a lot of umming and ahhing going on. Why not start 2 weeks out of the fight with the armies at Luthadel? I reckon a lot of it could've been summed up or passed over more. I also thought the character of Zane was a bit unnecessary, as he [spoiler] turned out not to do very much and we never did find out the meaning of the face on his person that kept talking to him. [end spoiler]. 
 I'll read the last book, thankfully it's not as long, but only because I can't stand not knowing what happens with stories, even if they aren't that entertaining.