One thing I will say in Veronica Roth's favor - this is nothing like [b:Divergent|13335037|Divergent (Divergent, #1)|Veronica Roth|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1328559506l/13335037._SY75_.jpg|13155899].



I applaud Roth for writing a book that is nothing like her famous first series. She created a whole new world with a new set of rules. Her worldbuilding, as usual, was on point. The setting stole the show. It was gorgeous, multi-layered, so amazing that I could picture it with ease. I could imagine each scene. I never go for space stories so the fact that I couldn't stop reading this one is impressive. Also, somehow, Roth made the prophecy trope work!



However...



I didn't care about the people featured in this book. At all. Cyra's life is too depressing to read about and I can't believe she didn't just run away as a little kid. While she was an intriguing character and my least hated of the bunch, she also is too indecisive on what side to join. Will she turn evil or good?



Ryzek is so twisted I'm shocked there wasn't a rebellion beforehand, Akos needed more of a backstory about adapting to his new life, Eijeh was too tragic and bland to read about (remind anyone else of Caleb?) and their mother was too mysterious even for an oracle.



I probably won't read the next book in the series. It was too much of a challenge for me to relate to any of these characters.