I went into this with absolutely no expectations, and I really enjoyed myself! It takes place in a world full of prodigies - aka people with superpowers. At one point, there were multiple gangs of of prodigies fighting for power over the city of Galton for their own reasons. Now, the Renegades have won and held power of the city for about 10 years. They consider themselves the "heroes" versus the gangs of "villains" they fought.
This mainly follows Nova. At least, I'd consider her the main character over Adrian. Her parents and younger sister were murdered by a villain gang when she was a child and she was taken in and raise by her Uncle, Ace. A member of a different (and very prominent) villain gang, the Anarchists. Now she's grown up, and the Renegades have all their "good" power on the city, and Nova and a few Anarchists are still trying to reach their goals.
As a lover of things that have to do with superpowers, I really enjoyed this. I'm always a bit worried that I'll be disappointed, but this definitely did not. I think Meyer is so good at just writing characters that I would/could read an entire novel of just her characters in a single room together.
I thought Nova was really well done. I think she'll remind everyone who reads this a bit of themselves.
IDK if y'all know about that D&D moral alignment test, but I sit at true neutral - and that's probably where I'd put Nova. She's not evil - and TBH no one in this novel is truly evil - but she's not "good" as the Renegades might define it. She quickly learns more about the Renegades and their members, and she never falls into it. She stays true to herself and her beliefs. Sure, a little education on something can change your view point, but she never fully succumbs and becomes a Renegades - she has her own priorities.
The ending both confused and shocked me. I won't spoil, but there's really no indication that what happens in the end is possible. So obviously you're sitting there with your mouth hanging open, but then you pull your job up and try to think of any signs, and there's none there. It almost felt like a cliff hanger just to have one - to have something to make you pick up the second book, and I don't think it needed it.
This book is also REALLY long, and I feel like that could be fixed. There a lot of plot and description before the main plot driver happens, and it felt a bit unnecessary, this stuff could've easily been worked in with a few simple actions during the intro-y bits, or later as the plot picks up. I worry that people who may really like it may put it down because the beginning is too slow. It's not really, but it just doesn't feel like enough; not enough build up, not enough action and showing.
I think if you loved Steelheart, The Young Elites, or The Darkest Minds, you're really gonna want to read this.
4/5 stars.

*an ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review