I'm in awe. It somehow fulfilled and exceeded my expectations even though I did not even know what exactly I had expected.
The plot is certainly original and throws any and all known presumptions about heroes and villains abort, twists them into something new, fascinating and decidedly dark.
The characters are well written while at the same time you feel like you cannot quite reach them, that you're slightly out of step with them. And I think that's exactly how you're supposed to feel as an ordinary person.
I cannot wait for the second part; even though this could have been a standalone. It could have been enough and if it was any other author I might fear that it will loose its charme but with Schwab I somehow feel safe.