/lit/ - Literature

Right, I'm on book 2 of the Licanius trilogy. I've been doing a mix of reading on my Kindle and listening on Audible, and it's not really working out. I'm pretty much exactly 50% through this one and I have no fucking clue what's going on. I think I've consumed the story too slowly, or just not paid enough attention. Right now, some faggot with mind control is causing trouble and I have no idea who he is, where he came from, or what the deal is. The same is generally true for the rest of the story in the second book.

Also, what in the everloving FUCK is it with this author and having names with 'ae' in them?
>Aarkein Devaed
>Aelric
>Andrael
>Ashalia Chaedris
>Caeden
>Dael
>Paetir
>Raeleth
>Shadraehin
>Shammaeloth
>Taeris Sarr

Final point: isn't it lazy writing that every single character, regardless of their intelligence, experience, or political and social acumen have their emotions painted on their face and particularly in the eyes? I cannot describe how often some important emotion is conveyed via the eyes and it's getting tiresome.