I just think it could've been much tighter if he kept the cast of characters smaller. Like it feels almost like a step back in storytelling, we used to be able to tell stories about the rise and fall of empires through relatively simple allegories, now we have this interconnecting intricate web that is so complex the author isn't sure how to end it, and it's there to communicate the minor interpersonal drama of the ruling class. Well, I guess it's more realistic.