That said, I¹m having a hard time getting into Tyranny. I¹ve started it three times and haven¹t gotten past the first few chapters before something else catches my interest. Is there a hump that I must cross to get on with it?
Yes, the first few chapters. By 75-100 pages in you should be quite entranced. And grab a map of the Mediterranean basin, preferrably a politcal one c. 1200 AD. That'll make following the nationalities a LOT easier.
I wish I'd had a map, heheh. I'd say that it does take about 100 pages, maybe a bit more, before all of the names and factions starting sinking into your brain. Plus, a few of the main characters reach places where they actually stay in one spot for a few chapters which helps too. Once they do it starts getting more enjoyable. Steve