"Great Potential, but Book One Doesn't Stand Alone"
Book one is well written, has interesting characters and is very well read. It serves to build the characters, twine them together and set the stage for a great epic resolution. Just as the reader is prepared for great battles and great twists of fate that will surely bring all the characters together again - book one ends leaving only questions and no resolutions.
This book is not a waste of your time or your credit, but you'll be disappointed if you don't have book two and possibly book three to step into.