I had anticipated reading this book for ages and it did not let me down! Saara El-Arifi has created a unique and compelling world with equally compelling characters. I was engaged from start to finish, plots with some sort of set of trials are always a favourite of mine. The only reason I'm not giving it 5 stars is that though I was constantly engaged, I felt it was missing something which would truly wow me towards the end. I'm already looking forward to the next instalment!