I'm a little torn over this book. There were some really good aspects of it like the writing and the world-building and the uniqueness of it all. The main thing that dragged it down for me was the romance. I usually like romance but I don't like the whole insta-love thing because I can't feel anything for it. This book had a lot of it and it was described in so much detail, how much these characters loved each other and wanted to be around each other, when I felt like there was no reason for it. It wouldn't have been so bad if it hadn't dragged on so much. I just wanted to get back to the plot. Also, Akiva, the love interest, fell a little flat for me. I felt like I didn't really know anything about him except for the fact that he loves Karou (kind of in an obsessive way, or at least it felt that way to me). 
 Edit: after reading the second book, I can say that the insta-love in this one was definitely intentional in kind of a Romeo and Juliet way. I never really liked Romeo and Juliet so maybe that's why it fell a little flat for me. But, still, really love the book overall. 
 Anyway, I still rate this book highly because it seriously was really good other than those couple faults. It ended really nicely and I have hopes for the sequel.