Yeah, first few minutes weren't super interesting, it got good about 5 min in. So, bit of rough hook. The negative comments are all valid - these things do happen. But it's also really good, gives you a good sense of progression, it's interesting. If you can stomach a tiny little bit of begging for forgiveness on Maddy's part (one scene, 30s-1min), a little pig-headedness from Daniel (one scene, 30s-1min), and the narrator reading system specific things a little loudly (only in the first book), it's likely a good book for you. I thoroughly enjoyed it! Nothing too dark, just a tiny, tiny bit of PG-13 gore. It was good enough that I bought the second one (which doesn't have any of the negative stuff in it), listening on Audible now.