It took me far too long to finish this book. The first half of the book seemed disconnected, rushed, muddled to me. I'm not sure if that's because I kept putting it down, then picking it back up a week later, or not. I did not connect with any of the characters... until the 2nd half of the book. I enjoyed the 2nd half quite a bit and read it very quickly! Spoilers coming....
I'm not sure I enjoyed the sudden romance between Nadya and Malachaisz. Nadya literally went from despising him in one sentence/moment, to kissing him the next. I didn't notice the build up of those feelings. Maybe it's because I didn't enjoy and become engaged in the first part of the book? I really like Serefin's character. I loved that he was so misunderstood. He was the boy who did what he was told to do, became GREAT at it, then had to pretend the rest of the time. I wish there had been more of him. Maybe in the next book there will be! The world of the Saints and Gods was so interesting. Emily A Duncan did a wonderful job creating this crazy, weird, intoxicating world. I'm looking forward to the next book!
If I HAD to give it stars... I'd give the first half just 2 stars, and the second half 4.5 stars...