I've read many fantasy series and this one I had to put down after page 250 because it just couldn't hold my interest. The action is slow and the descriptive prose does not capture one's imagination. There was no sense of anticipation like one would find in a Jordan, Goodkind, Farland, or Bakker book. I was excited at the prospect of a gay protagonist as well but this was certainly not of import in the first 250 pages. I really wanted to like this series but, alas, I have to give it a 1 star rating. Sorry Flewelling...