The book started a little shakey. It took a while for the main character to properly sell me on his motivations, but he gets there eventually, and by then I was really into it. I think what really makes the story stand out is just how much it explores the feelings and thought processes behind different labels - and especially how self perception can shape your view of the world far more than anyone else's opinions. The ending was FANTASTIC too. I loved that Rafe was allowed to be wrong, and to make huge mistakes, and actually suffer the consequences of hurting people (even without meaning to). That's a great lesson in and of itself, so I'm really glad the novel touched on that with the seriousness that it did.