I don't give five stars lightly. I'm a very harsh critic. There are books I love that I only give four too. Why did I give this one five? Up to the last few pages I thought this was a solid four but then it tied up so well and as I thought about it there wasn't a huge amount I would change. Apart from one thing - an English lad who drinks coffee rather than tea?! What planet are you on Rachel Caine?! 
 There are a few other frustrating stereotypes that American authors always associate with the UK too but that wasn't hugely surprising. I also got the impression that Jess's family seemed more Irish than English but that's just nit picking. 
 This reminded me a lot of Jasper Fforde's Thursday Next books with the library and the Wales v England battle. Is be interested to know if Caine had read those books. 
 This book had infinitely more substance than Caine's Morganville Vampire books which although I loved were Hollyoaks compared to Ink and Bone's Breaking Bad. The writing style is rich and borrows heavily from many different civilisations - the supernatural and steampunk is beautifully and subtly intertwined. 
 I cared about the characters. Perhaps I didn't understand some of their reactions to what they witnessed but Caine had already made it clear that these kids were out for themselves. 
 This is clearly a young adult book but it has much more richness to it than others in the genre - there is a 1984 theme that can be chilling at times with the executions and inferred torture but it is more painted in your imagination than being crude. 
 You aren't hit over the head with romance or love triangles - obviously romantic relationships are there but it was more the family and friendships that interested me. 
 I was much more impressed with this at 100% than I was at 20% and I'm very much looking forward to where Caine takes this although I'd urge her to have an end in mind - Morganville went on much too long and too painfully for my liking!