I have said before, to me, the book must hold some of the magic it describes, because it's slow, ponderous, lacking in any real dynamism, and I still enjoyed.
She hints and suggests and never totally reveals or pays-off, and possibly this is what I liked. Speaking for myself and wishing to offend no-one, I'm tired of the stuff, on tv, in movies, and in books, where everything is broken down to ensure the audience gets it.
There's none of this here. And I appreciate that. I have to work at it, and in some cases I'm free to bring my own interpretations.
She does, however, try something that is really difficult to do. The eponimous characters are not endearing. Their flaws are many and varied, and it is hard to like them, let alone identify (because in doing so, we must recognise our own flaws). Yet I think there is a very strong vein of hope in the book. Because if these two selfish, self-absorbed asses can set aside their feelings towards each other and work for a common goal, then we can do the same.
I wouldn't say I'm eagerly awaiting the next installment, now that the magic has returned, but I'll probably buy the hardback.