This book was slow for me at first, but about 3/4s of the way through, it really picked up. I've read a ton of dystopian fiction, and while this isn't my favorite, I'm excited to read the sequel. The main characters (Kyla, Ben, Dr. Lysander, and "Mum") are well thought out and very dynamic. Others are flat and their motivations for their actions do not resonate. However, this is the first in a trilogy and we may very well learn more about these secondary characters and how they fit in. If you like anything by Robin Wasserman (Frozen, Shattered, or Torn), you'll love this trilogy.