The ending made up for the dragging beginning. I love love loved the romance and the tension. I picked up the book off and on so it was hard for me to get connected deeply to the world, and I appreciated the fact that were good maps in the book. The world-building was amazing, props to Maas. I wanted to know about the history of the world, and how these things came into being. I would love a prequel book because the glimpses of history only whet my appetite. I really really loved the side characters. I wanted more from Bryce though, I felt like I did not get the best impression of her as a person. I questioned a lot of the choices she made. The ending of the book did make me want to pick up the next book though.