This is possibly the best book I've read this year, or at least very close to. I would say there're 5 main characters in this book, with one being more central than the others, but each had a full plotline and felt very real by themselves. 

Nothing ever felt rushed, nor did it ever feel boring, the pacing was just brilliant. It's an 800 page epic with no obvious loose ends and a diverse set of characters all of which it's possible to empathise with in some way and hate in another, making the whole world feel real.  The whole story arc of Roos was my personal favourite, even though I'm sure it's not meant to be, it's part of the beauty of a book like this, there's so much going on and so many brilliant characters that there's going to be someone for everyone. Even outside of the main 5 characters, what I would class as the side characters are well developed and could be another readers favourite.

This could have easily been split into several books but I'm so happy it wasn't because reading it in one go was so much fun and I imagine it would be harder to remember all the links between people if you spread it out. I can't wait to read more in the series and more of the authors work.