In many ways it is much better than I expected. The writing is occasionally not well polished (or maybe it's because I read it after a very very well written book, which made the contrast larger), but it doesn't matter much, because the story sucks me in. It is very well thought out, all the background to magic, the whole thing makes much more sense than the philosophy behind e.g. the Harry Potter books. Makes it more everyday, more "what if magic was indeed a normal thing for normal people", and brings a lot of ideas to their logical conclusion. It is quite fun how it ties in the ideas from other fantasy series as well, makes me think about those in a different way and also appreciate them more. Quite thought provoking in so many ways, about psychology, the value and purpose of things in life, relationships, ego. A rough ride that will likely stay with me for a while.