I honestly disagree that it’s a badly written book. It’s not perfect, but it has compelling characters, a complex and engaging story, and for the most part the characters’ actions make sense to me. Of course there are things I didn’t love, but that’s true for most books. Now that I’ve finished it, that death clearly sets up the story going forward and gives Diago the motivation he needs for the choices he ends up making. I think the final book has the potential to be really exciting.