The core story progression point in this novel is flawed. Lorne wows the king and his attendant with his analyses of current events in the world, despite the fact that it is impossible for him to know anything. The tavern he owns has no customers, as the author points out, while Lorne does not go out, or at least, it isn’t stated or even hinted. Lorne has no personality, heck, we aren’t even given a description of his physical features, ambitions or background. The explanations feel rushed, and aren’t substantial in any way.TL;DR this is a miss.