It certainly lives up to the hype. A witty plot that never slows, characters that just shimmer with personality (even Kaz, who I don't really like but /do/ feel sorry for). Lots of cussing and Sexy Things sooo if that sort of thing affects you, might want to steer clear.
This is not one of my favorite books - I prefer ones about Good People Doing Good Things To Fight Evil, which is why I decidedly prefer the Grisha trilogy to this duology - but that's a matter of personal preference, so I'd have to be an idiot to knock off a star for it.
Okay okay but can we talk about how Kaz is not?? 17?!! Not in a million years?? I pictured him as being in his late twenties, til he goes "oh yeah am 17 hehe" like WHAT WHAT WHAT?? Ngl, I actually exclaimed "no!" out loud in that scene where he reveals his age.