It is advisable to read the first books of the series to get familiar with the background even though the story can stand on its own. The book is long. The book has mostly long sentences, long paragraphs, long chapters, and lots of description. The author's intent is to have you sympathize with the characters and their points of view. The background is detailed and affects the atmosphere.
Characterization focuses on several characters of different sexes whose lives are intertwined.
The characters are developed over time. There are series characters, followed through and developed over several related novels. There are memorable and important secondary characters. The book will leave you feeling somber, sad, melancholy. The book is serious, challenging, sober, formal, solemn.