I downloaded this book from the SYNC audio YA program this summer, mostly on a whim, as this is unlike most of what I read. At first, I wasn’t sure I would listen to much of it, and probably wouldn’t have gone very far into it if I hadn’t chosen to start listening just as I got on the treadmill for an hour in a place where I had no access to any other audiobooks. That first hour got me invested in the story, despite some silliness near the beginning. I ended up really enjoying the rich world-building, and loving the characters. Despite it being the first in a trilogy, something that really annoys me generally, I loved the way it ended, and am looking forward to the next installment.

Performance: On the other hand, I really did not like the audiobook, narrated by Khristine Hvam. The accents, voices, and interludes kept pulling me from the story. They were the reason I didn’t enjoy the book from the beginning. I definitely plan on reading this series in print from now on. I do want to note, though, that others I’ve talked to have adored the audio version. I’m just a picky audiobook listener, I suppose!

Revisited May 2014: Not much to add, just wanted to say this book is just as brilliant the second time around. Probably even better. I reread this in anticipation of the third book in the series coming out.

Revisited March 2017: Callback review