*sigh* 
 I didn't dislike this book, but I also didn't love it. It was a tad predictable, the main character wasn't super relatable, and I kept getting a de ja vu feeling. I've read this before, a voice would whisper at the back of my mind. How very hunger games, my sub conscious would snark, oh look, it's like The Selection, it would add. A dash of Divergent? How original. 
 It didn't often feel intentional, so it's quite possible the author is just leaning heavily on YA tropes in general and not other best sellers specifically. 
 I have to say I don't much care what happens in book 2. I could probably write the general plot out right now, though, because there just isn't that much you can do with such over done material.