Yes. My dissatisfaction here comes partly from the idea that Grossman is a much better fantasy writer, and that this book is pushing at some things he works at much more directly and adultly in his fantasy. But he just couldn't/wouldn't write the book he really wanted here. Partly, I've always been uncomfortable with the way he talks about the fantasy genre; everything is always about explaining fantasy to people who don't get it, and justifying what he apparently views as a slightly embarrassing interest in it. Meh, lots of armchair psychology.