Vim > Status Update

Okay I really like Kallia but daaamn, this book straddles the line between invoking an air of mystery and just creating a clusterfuck of random facts nobody cares about. Dude, I don't care about the four gates. I didn't even knew they existed until this chapter and they're supposed to be a landmark?? Who are the Patrons?? Why are you saying they're so important? Still not a clue!

In terms of buildup, there is none. Characters find out about stuff by overhearing conversations and monologues, and make life decisions based on that. The first bit focused on setting up a sensual (?) feel between Jack and Kallia then all of a sudden shifted OUT OF NOWHERE.

A lot of inconsistencies in world-building. Why doesn't anyone use magic to warm themselves up? Why does everyone seem to forget magic exists?

I must admit Kallia is interesting and that is the only redeeming attribute this book has.

It's weird. The book would claim this place or that event is mysterious or renowned, and expect the reader to believe it in a snap. Glorian was the city lost in the woods but everyone seems to have access to it. Is it a dying city, a dead one, a poor one? Historical? I dunno, unclear, but it's cold there.

Building like mountains that could have been manors. Proud, jutting towers like the tops of palaces.

DUDE WHAT.

First sentence, you compared buildings to mountains then reverted to buildings??? Second one, ARENT TOWERS (sometimes) PARTS OF PALACES??? What's the point of making a comparison of you're just gonna compare it to itself???