This is a confusing book. The side characters, world, story premise and such are fantastic. However the main character is one of the most dim witted, selfish, annoying and irredeemable MCs I can think of ever reading.
Only the last 10% of the book does that change. Otherwise it’s failure after failure. It becomes cringe. He doesn’t just act like an idiot. He seems to be intentionally written to annoy the reader.
That said, all of the other characters are wonderful and it’s compelling enough to finish and even be excited for the next book.
I think what really saved it was Jeff Hays and cast along with Sound Booth Theater bringing the world alive. Music and loot playing and singing and sound effects go a long way.
I’ll give the next one a go but I hope this MC has an arc that veers him away from hoping he doesn’t make it. That’s not a great trait for the hero, as unexpected as this one is.