I've gotta say, I liked this more than I thought I would. It's nothing special but the worldbuilding is pretty decent and Leigh Bardugo has a writing style that really works for me. In saying that, I think the pacing is pretty terrible, a lot of the book just being montages that become incredibly dull to read about. I wish I loved Alina more, but from what I've heard she has more to do in the second book so I'm hopeful that I'll like her more as the series goes on. Mal can choke. I haven't hated a male love interest like this in a long time. I hate him so fucking much and apparently he only gets worse :/ I do adore Genya and am hopeful that she's in more of the series because I'm about ready to propose to her. I am also unsurprisingly a massive simp for the Darkling and Darklina. 

The only reason I read this was because I'm excited for the show and if anything this only made me more hyped. I think a lot of my main issues are going to be solved with the show and I'm looking forward to it. I enjoyed this enough that I am going to continue, even if only to meet Nikolai who I've heard is the superior love interest. Honestly, I'll take anyone over Mal at this point.