I don't normally do quarter star ratings but I'm so torn with this book. It took me a couple of months to finish, and not just because of the length.

There's lots of political maneuvering which was often boring and slow for me. We get to see the younger generation grow up but we don't spend enough time with them to care about them like we do with older characters. 

But then there are the really really good scenes that make me feel like I need to keep going. There are several scenes with great tension and action. Any time Shae and Hilo are together on page are some of the best for me. The ending was different than expected but still great, I couldn't stop reading the last 150 pages. 

I want to give it a 4 star but the lagginess of all the politicking holds me back.