The thing that frustrates me most about the Old Kingdom trilogy is that it sets up a really fascinating dichotomy between modern Ancelstierre and the magical Old Kingdom, but builds its plots around something else entirely. Ancelstierre clearly has its own politics and problems, but ends up being just a backdrop for big set pieces. I can't help but think that the stories would feel more urgent and meaningful if they grappled more with the wall between past and present than the river into death.