I finished this a while ago, so the details are fading.

At first I was a bit worried that it was going to be a Fellowship of the Ring knockoff, but about half way it switches into a kind of military fantasy. Neither is exactly my bag, but at least the switch keeps me on my toes.

The characters are interesting. In particular the main character has fairly severe mental health issues. This plays off the whole romance subplot. Will the literally star-crossed lovers end up together when she is such a pain in the ass? Only book 2 will tell.

Indeed that is my most substantial grumble is that this is very much not a standalone novel. Weighty epic fantasy subplots are started, but then the book stops. Maybe I'm just mad that I didn't buy book 2 when it was on sale.