We've got your back. With the Tough-O-Meter, you'll know whether to bring extra layers or Swiss army knives as you summit the literary mountain. (10 = Toughest)
(4) Base Camp
Seriously: the hardest part of reading this book is keeping track of all the generals, lieutenants, and specialists, and places. Especially the places. Birdy's unit travels from village to city to city. They're passed around to where they're needed.
So don't get too caught up in that stuff. (Or, better yet, refer back to Shmoop when you want to reference a name or place.) The storytelling—the day-to-day of the book—is simple and straightforward. It matters more what mood Birdy's in than where he is.
Just follow along with Birdy, and you're going to be all right.