Please remember that this is a prequel to a trilogy.  Bearing that in mind, I thought this was well done.  The author was able to give the reader an idea of what the trilogy was about and the backgroud that was needed to proceed.  It was all done in a short story format.  Not only that, but the author did it in a manner that was entertaining and told a story.  There was a clear beginning and end.  Having said that, the end leaves room for the start of the next book.  I liked it.  FYI - If you can't get in to the whole spirit animal thing, this is not the book/trilogy for you.