I'm torn on whether or not I like this book. Though I read through it quickly and eagerly, I found myself skimming through the gritty parasite chapters. "Ew. Yuck. Repeat." And though I really appreciate the exploration of vampirism as an STD, I'm undecided as to whether or not I should put the book out for my junior high kids. Promiscuity seems somewhat glorified in the end, and I don't know that's the message I want to share with my girls. 
 The writing is so amazingly different from Westerfeld's voice in the Uglies series. This book seems so...male and not just because of Cal's first person narrative. Oh, and my finally complaint is that I'm not sure I got it all in the end. But...at the same time, I want to read the next book in the series. In conclusion, it's a 2.5 to a 3...