Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I gave the book a poor rating for a few very specific reasons but will start with the good. There are some very interesting characters traits I've never seen before and I liked them. Different in fantasy is normally a good thing! The characters are well drawn and I can see character development and story line are headed in a good direction. However, as much as I would like to buy the next book to continue I simply can't. I despise authors who "over" manipulate the reader to the extent you want to choke them. In this case, the author abuses and tortures the reader when it comes to answering the question about what is going on with the main character. Several characters know but, as usual, won't say. Worse, like a cheap soap opera, our protagonist frequently asks those in her company but they are "ALWAYS" interrupted before an answer is given. ALWAYS! And then when she clearly has time to follow up, she never does. This goes on-and-on to the end of the first book. Incredibly annoying. No author should drag something out like this for an entire book. Initially she also appears to be really slow-witted as she doesn't understand what's happening to her even after multiple occurrences. I guess I can live with this but in this department the reader is way ahead anyways which is natural. I will say she starts to understand by the end of the book regarding her "changes". In this first book, overall, nothing is happening other then her advancing changes, pointless discussions never answered, and a couple of run-ins with the council elders chasing her and her party...and of course, unanswered questions. For me, I can't stand a soap opera format consisting of lots of secrets and known questions that never get answered for one manipulated reason after another. Bottom line: I don't like soap operas or being endlessly manipulated by an author for the sole purpose of buying the next book. Even if the next book finally brings answers (I'm sure it will), the authors style of writing leads me to believe there will be more of the same tom-foolery. Maybe...if I get really bored...I'll take the leap...maybe.