I feel like I gave it up just when the plot was finally going to kick in, but I just couldn't do it any more. I've had this issue with these authors before — the high-angst, slow-reveal method of storytelling just doesn't work for me. (But it does work for others. What I call frustrating, others may call a page-turner.) It's a particular shame this time, because I was actually interested in the story and entertained by the tongue-in-cheek fantasy setting. Just not enough to offset how miserable these characters are and how miserable and frustrated they're making me! Maybe I'll come back and skim to the end sometime.