I will add, in the book's defense on this issue, that some of the characters do indeed scoff at Biagio's ultimate reliance on others, and he himself does eventually question the likelihood of the plan's outcome. Many of the characters we've grown to know and love and hate are back for the climax. Plus, naturally, there are a handful of new ones. And as usual, they're all drawn with dynamic colors, always believable and full of personality. We can relate to their desires, even when we don't condone them.
Nobody is purely evil, and no one is absolutely good.
They're real people . These help to keep things fresh. My favorite episodes within The Saints of the Sword are the battle in Lissen waters, and an unexpected development during a siege in Lucel-Lor. I've got a list of other rewarding scenes too, but I could go on and on. The action and adventure of each of the previous novels are equaled this time around, in quality, quantity, and artistic approach.