3.5 stars.

Everything about the setup appeals to me: clan rivalry, strong family ties, magic that requires discipline and training. It did take a while to really get into it, to figure out which of the many characters I should be rooting for and how they're all connected to each other, but once I did — man, I would kill and/or die for the Kauls. (Not literally; I'm a Ravenclaw.)

The fast-paced action isn't entirely my cup of tea, but the fact that I didn't even skim the fight scenes is a testament to Lee's storytelling ability. I think I experienced secondhand fight-or-flight reflexes throughout most of the story, and wow I don't think I'm ready for the next book. Though of course I'm going to read it, I have to know what happens to the Kauls.

(Fun fact: every time I see "SN1" I am forced to think about organic chemistry reactions and I am not happy about it.)