AMAZING! 
 We get the story told from two different perspectives.. 
 Laia - who has lost everything and everyone and will stop at nothing to save her brother Darin. Even if it means selling herself into slavery to help out the resistance. 
 Elias - a mask/soldier who dreads the tasks that he must face for his own chance at freedom. 
 Sabaa did a phenomenal job weaving and intertwining the two perspectives together. The world was fascinating, the people, and the Empire itself were all plotted out so well. Seeing the character arc of both Laia and Elias change was really strong. 
 I even enjoyed Helene - Elias best-friend (view spoiler)[now the Emperor Marcus's minion (hide spoiler)] - and the internal conflict she created for Elias. The way Elias and Helene worked through the trials as a team until the very end no matter what was a great friendship depiction. Then there's Laia's best-friend Izzi who helps her through everything with the commandant despite everything she's gone through being a slave herself. (view spoiler)[...like losing an EYE! (hide spoiler)] 
 Just...go read it. If you enjoy dystopian fiction with a touch of fantasy this is the book for you. I couldn't put it down until 1am when I finally finished. 
 (view spoiler)[Things I'm interested in learning more about... 
 - The Cook's involvement with the resistance 
 - How deep Darin was really involved 
 - Mazen (the leader of the resistance) if he's the spy for the commandant 
 - Elias and Laia - I SHIP IT! 
 - How far Helene will go for Marcus (hide spoiler)]