The characters were undeveloped. Well actually there really weren't many characters worth developing in the first place. The main character was difficult to like or root for. He was kind of annoying. Any attempt at world building or history was minimal and the complete opposite of "epic." There was one nice touch to the physical world but honestly that was the most interesting part of the book. I kept getting angry at parts that made no sense. There where abrupt sections of plot that were supposed to be important but lacked any substance at all. It was mostly just... flat. The whole time I read it it's like I had a bad taste in my mouth. I was expecting so much and was very disappointed. This book evoked no feelings at all. I guess that's what happens after reading Martin's ASOIAF. Nothing will ever compare. But this is just my opinion. Maybe you'll like it, idk.