I think my characters are OK. My plot is OK. Pacing needs work to make those two things work, well to use a music metaphor, both harmonically and melodically. :D This is really helpful to think about.

Yeah, The Hunger Games was a page turner because of the plot and pacing. I actually found myself unsympathetic to Katniss here and there--but also rooting for her so hard. That is a great example of a complex heroine done well. I'm going to take it on vacation and read it again this week.

I found Stroud's main character 100% unsympathetic and never read past the first book. Should I make an effort and read the other two books?