Yay I finished the series. Binge-read all 5 of the books. Which worked well, because I think they were binge-written as well.

The best thing about this series is how tightly constructed it is. It reads as if the author set down a five-book-long epic plot, then proceeded to tell that story with discipline and clarity. All the important characters are introduced in the first book. Most of the major plot machinations are established by the second book. And the fourth and fifth pay them off. It's a discipline sorely lacking in other epic fantasy stories (looking at you, Ice and Fire). It makes for good reading.

Unfortunately I don't think this fifth book pays off all the themes as well as it could. The Banking subplot goes to nothing. So does Jorey's army, they're sort of parked off-stage for most of the book which is odd given how much time was devoted to them in the fourth book. Even the mopey dragon sort of gets short shrift here.

But the payoff for the main Spider's War story is pretty good, down to a thrilling action conclusion. I was left satisfied. Good stuff.