I enjoyed this fast-paced book. The ending was strong, but definitely demands a sequel, which is coming out later this year. This is meant for a YA audience, and while I was reading it, I couldn't help but notice SEVERAL elements reminiscent of other popular YA stories: Harry Potter's Goblet of Fire, Divergent, and Hunger Games. Some reviews have compared it to Game of Thrones, and while I can see how the fantasy elements combined with a ruling empire might bring GoT to mind, this book is no where near the sophistication in the depth of plot or the writing (but that's probably due to the intended YA audience).

In any case, I do think it to be an enjoyable read. It's not a life changer, but it has likable characters and even though the story isn't unique (and it could even be deemed trite), it is interesting. I will add that I wish the main female character had been stronger, as she is timid and gullible for most of this book, but I do see how she will probably be stronger in the second book.

I do think it has a good bit of violence, but it's nothing worse than Hunger Games. One other thought if you're trying to gauge this book appropriate for a young adult, the story does mention rape a lot but it never occurs as part of the story (meaning no one gets raped nor is it described, but it is threatened or is a close call on more than a few occasions).

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