Approaching 4.5 stars for me. I really enjoyed this book. I loved Kelsea as a heroine. She is smart, brave, feisty, principled, and determined. She knows she's in over her head and she still fights for her people, regardless of the fact that it could possibly lead to her early death. She does not back down to bullies or even her own guardsmen, who try at times to stop her in the name of her own protection.

I liked the setting and word building in this book. It's supposed to be set at some point in our distant future in a place that was colonized by Americans and British. At first we don't know this, because it's actually a fantasy novel, but it's made pretty clear throughout the book with references to our own time.

I liked that she was a book reader, and got a kick out of her talking about the 'seven volumes of Rowling' and Lord of the Rings.

I liked the other characters in the story, and I'm curious to see what happens with the Fetch, Andalie, and others. I'm kind of feeling Kelsea and Pen over Kelsea and the Fetch when it comes to shipping her with somebody.

Speaking of shipping, I really like the fact that they don't introduce a love interest in this first book. I mean, she's definitely intrigued by the Fetch, but it's not something that is a focus of the book at all. It's mentioned here and there a couple of times, but it seems to be more of a girlhood crush than an epic love story. Besides, this girl has more important things to think about than romance.

This book definitely has some dark, graphic scenes. It is NOT a light, fluffy fantasy.

I was thoroughly engrossed with this book, and read the majority of it in one sitting. I can't wait to pick up the sequel.