4.5 stars. This is the best book of the series, IMO. I gave this a 4.5 because there isn't enough Darkling and there is way too much needy, angsty Mal. But I rounded it up to five stars because NIKOLAI!! What a great character. Sarcastic, witty, smart...check, check, check. I love it, and I love Alina's interactions with him. I also liked Zoya a lot more in this book. I'm still not sure if she's trustworthy, but she definitely grew on me.