the explanation for everything doesn't come until the third book. the world building is actually quite thorough if you stick it out. the second and third books have great game changers and all the "first romance" stuff that characterizes the first book is really challenged and explored in interesting ways in the second and third (especially).

um... mostly I know the first book isn't the best. but all the cheesy stuff actually is explained in a way that is - while not brilliant - not horrible either.