Wow. How has it taken me so long to read this book? It took me a LONG time (like, over a week) to get past the first few chapters but once you get into the middle of the book you are enthralled. Or I was at least. I think the reason this book isn't so hugely famous is because people are scared of the messages it contains. It takes seeds our society is planting now and extrapolates some of the worst things that could grow from them. There are some fantastic observations about the world that actually ARE true today! Here are some favorite quotes:

"You see, a conflict always begins with an issue - a difference of opinion, an argument. But by the time it turns into a war, the issue doesn't matter anymore, because now it's about one thing and one thing only: how much each side hates the other."

"And everyone was selecting their leaders not by their ability to lead, but by where they stood on this single issue."

TRUTH.
I was also extremely impressed by the depth in which the author was prepared to tell the story. He didn't just take an idea and run with it. He took an idea and gave it foundation through extreme detail. The fact that he wrote tithing, clappers, umber/sienna, and storking into the story without it ever seeming like he was reaching shows how prepared he was for every question you may have about this society.
I also liked that while a boy/girl romance wasn't the center of the plot the author wasn't scared of it. It's allowed to happen. And this book was pre-huge dystopian fame (written in 2007) so it doesn't have a lot of the stereotypes that have become fairly typical.

I didn't always think Connor's character was consistent - it talked about his tendency to get in fights but then it rarely showed him actually getting in to them. He seemed fairly calm to me.
Risa was an awesome character, but I wish I'd gotten to know her a little better.
Surprisingly I think we got to know Lev the most - when you read the book you'll know why.
CyFy's story was intense and heartbreaking - and one of the best parts of the novel.
There's one scene that's incredibly intense - you'll know. Maybe don't read at night.

I can't say enough about the types of messages this book gives out. I wish it were required reading simply to get people thinking about it. I think I'll need a break before reading the sequel though. Maybe something a little less intense...