It's odd to feel so hyped to start a series, that while it's been talked about it is still slightly smaller known. Starting this book, even a few chapters in, I noticed that this one was feeling slow. Not for lack of things happening just the amount of detail put into it it has made the pace feel that way, to me at least.
Our story follows and is told to us by Lord Hadrian Marlow. He is writing the story of his life and experiences from a very late point in his life. Older Hadrian does not seem to shy away from the rashness or ignorance of his youth. He is a bright man to be sure but doesn't have the calculating mind needed for most lords. By this I mean he only plots a few steps ahead of most of his actions. Hadrian doesn't know much of the universe outside of books and is thus naive to several things.
Recounting his early life only briefly the story begins when Hadrian is about twenty. At this point, we learn of the efforts Hadrian is going through to live up to his father's expectations. After an incident shames Lord Marlow, Hadrian is to be sent off to join the Chantry. However, due to cunning that is not his own Hadrian ends up on Emesh. This is where the bulk of this book takes place. Hadrian goes through a lot in his years on this planet. Finding his place in a world he can't escape and losing those who mean the most. As he is trapped here the war with the Cielcin continues to wage across the universe until ships are spotted near to system. Hadrian only ever wanted to be a scholar and the need for knowledge will lead him into the dark.