The Obelisk Gate

However, for all that this novel has excellent world-building, is populated by wonderful characters, and is written in great style, it does have one weak spot: the plot, particularly in relation to the overall narrative of the series. While there is nothing inherently wrong with the novel???s plot ??? not least because a lot of it is devoted to character development ??? there is a certain unevenness to it that reminds me that this is the middle book of a trilogy: the midway point between a spectacular opening and what promises to be a spectacular ending. This is what I call ???middle book syndrome???, and while The Obelisk Gate does not suffer too badly from it, I still strongly feel that sense of it being a waypoint on the journey towards something greater, instead of being something great on its own.

Full review here: http://wp.me/p21txV-ve