I initially struggled with the first 40-50 pages. I think I wasn't able to focus enough to really fall into the world and the language, so I'd miss references and plot points. I started it a third time and with the means to relax and deep read it, I really got absorbed into it. All those difficult terms and such pretty much went away and it was a smooth quick finish. Kind of interesting really. The rest of the series is very smooth and much like his normal writing style which I will admit was refreshing.