This book had so much potential. I'm not saying Hardinge is a bad writer because she isn't the writing was great, but the book was just way too long and way to complicated for a child to understand. I barely understood what was going on until halfway through the book. 
 I think if this was a book for YA/or adults it would have been better. But a 10 year old would not have gotten the intricate writing and complex world. 
 That said, if the book had been 200 pages less, it would have been great. The complex conspiracy was great and I enjoyed the main character. It's great to see a girl who is strong and such a leader in a book like this. 
 However this book left me emotionally tired from reading it.