The premise is so good. The execution is so bad. Maybe the later books make up for it? I'm sure in a year or so, I'll look back on the book and think, "Ah, I was too harsh. I should give the next one a shot." Then I'll read the next book and remember why I hated the first one.

My main gripe with the book? The prose. The style. The frakin' passive voice! Also, the excruciating over attention to measurement. The lighter was three quarters of an in in width and two inches in height? Really? Gee, glad I know what a lighter looks like now.

Also I keep getting the Mary Sue vibe from Burton. Dunno, maybe that's just me.

Granted, there were some good sentences here or there. Especially the opening and the last bit at the end. But god, the info dumps and rambling exposition and pondering were just too much.