Salvatore immediately places the reader in the action of an unfolding event that causes confusion and leaves you wondering what, where and why. The confusion does not relent as he introduces new characters and events before returning to the two unlikely travel companions. But if you're hoping to make sense of it all, things will not begin to connect until the story wraps. Going from a slow start to a creeping climax, the plot is not so enticing and the reader is like to be challenged to continue the book. In the end, pace is quickened and story telling returns to the fast paced, fight descriptions that Salvatore is well known for. The dots connect to reveal a vastly larger picture that Salvatore(and Jarlaxle no doubt) have been weaving all along, which seemingly opens the gates for many future possibilities, that these two characters can share the road in.

Overall
The start is sluggish and boring, especially if you've grown somewhat tired of action sequences that leave you mentally empty. The depth of the plot doesn't become satisfying until the end when the reader begins to recall all of the separate events that tie in together. The end will leave you wanting more of these two and their travel tales.