This is the first book I've read from Famed author V.E. Schwab. I was not disappointed. The story was different and new from many others I've read. I did not really know what the story would be about when I started, so I was happy to read about a world that was like the "real" world, and yet had its subtle differences. I enjoyed ALL the main characters in this story. Schwab's way of introducing and explaining each character was thorough enough that i understood each of them individually. There was no preference as to "the hero" or "the villain" or even "the victim(s)". This was a story that let ME decide who was what and allowed me to empathize or not with each individual. The only reason this didn't get 5 stars, is because I didn't connect enough for that "special" feeling of "MUST READ THE NEXT PAGE". I don't know how else to explain it. And I took longer to read this novel than per usual. I'm not sure if that is because LIFE has been busy, or because I didn't have that "special" connection. I will read the 2nd book in this duology, and I am very much looking forward to reading it!