The Blade Itself

Full 5 stars.

World Building - A vast world with a vast history. A lot was revealed, but every new answer brought with it a dozen more questions. Just the way I like it.
Characters - The best things about this book, or any book at all. Loved absolutely all of them. There are no perfect beings here, just a pile of broken sad human remains, and I wish that I knew them all personally. Misery that inspires.
Plot - Some people say there's not plot to this book. Do not listen to those people. Granted, the book seemingly focuses on revealing who our characters are as people, both in the present day and in the past. However, every reveal is intentional, and the course of actions and events is anything but random, which eventually leads the reader to seeing the plot.
All in all, I recommend it highly, if you don't mind a bit of a gruesome bloodshed, and brutal display of the misery that accompanies humanity.