Compelling characters, an unlikely hero you actually want to root for, a complex yet easily understood magic/fighting system, and a thoughtful plot. What’s not to love? Baldree did a great job narrating, but the drone at the end of his sentences grew tiresome towards the end. Not sure if that was for dramatic effect, but it didn’t feel necessary for the entirety of the book.
The best way I can describe this first installment is world-building and character development similar to Sanderson with anime-style action sequences. Wight has definitely and quickly become a new favorite author.