The book seems to be have written as a starter of a much larger multi-book series. Plotlines, characters and backgrounds are put into place and never expanded upon.
The writer also devotes significant time (half the book) exploring and following a character only to stop.
Recently watch a video on the differences between eastern and western thinking and this book lines up very well with that. Eastern is about the journey, Western is about the destination. This book is definitely journey driven.
My title says the keyword is story, and it is a good story that leaves many unanswered questions.
I will say, this a great beginning to a larger, yet unfinished story, in my opinion.