The Grace of Kings

Great world and cultures, I really enjoyed them, as well as the storytelling in isolated sections.

However, it bothered me to no end that the greater plot arc was driven by inexplicable, near-psychotic personality shifts across a range of major characters.

It's also unfortunate that the outcome of a Song-of-Ice-and-Fire-style fantasy imperial conflict is spoiled by the actual name of the trilogy. 😐