4/5 
 The one thing that really enticed me about this book was the Grisha world this takes place in. And of course the Darkling. It helped distract me from the fact that it was your basic YA plotline where a seemingly plain Jane girl has these hidden powers and is taken in to be trained and with her are her best guy friend and the new leader who takes her in. This story is more original though due to the world and what helps it stand out among other YA novels of the sort. 
 And I love the fact that we are gradually seeing new growth in Alina as the book progresses and new insights on the Darkling so soon. 
 The only thing that kind of ticked me off was the (kind of) instalove between Alina and the Darkling, (view spoiler)[ like I kind of see how she developed an attraction to him but to full on want to be with him is pushing it a bit... But I think you can also associate that with developing a new crush and letting the thought of them consume you wholly. (hide spoiler)] 
 Overall, this was a good start to a series, off to read the next one!