This epic is indeed one of staggering proportions. Staggering to carry, at a hefty 1083 pages in its hardcover edition. Staggering proportions: so many characters, so little characterization. So much "plot", so little origionality. So many pages, so little worth reading!!The trouble with this series is that Williams has overreached himself. This tries to take on too grand a scale, leaving us frustrated as we skip from subplot to subplot. The characters are like cardboard, with institutionalized reactions and unispired speech. The author is a good one, proved by his well-written TAILCHASER'S SONG, but he has bitten off more than he can chew here. Well I hope for more product from this worthwhile author, perhaps he can take to heart his words "The Bloated Epic" and "The Story That Ate My Life". Guess what? It ate ours, too!!