4.5 stars. Um wow. I wholeheartedly agree with the quote on the cover: it's unlike anything I've ever read. I feel like the plot was developed slowly but surely; not a lot of genuine action until the end..but that really worked! This world was SO cool. I loved the Darkling at first but now I'm not sure what to think! Mal is also a keeper. Shit man. I'm really excited to read the second book and see what could possibly happen next. Not sure if it belongs on my all-time favorites shelf for some reason, but Jesus this book was great. A+ world building and writing.