This was an exciting story about Kaidu, a soldier-in-training for the Dao empire (which currently controls the Nameless City) and Rat, an orphaned city girl who runs across rooftops and hates the Dao, who are just one in a line of conquerors of her city. Hicks explores the fears and emotions that come with war as well as the different stereotypes and hateful words that are born out of classism. She does this without being two preachy or over-the-top - the story is really all about Kaidu's and Rat's evolving friendship, which speaks for itself. The illustrations were awesome - they showed the vast maze of the city as well as the emotions of the characters in each frame. It seems like Hicks has really thought a lot about this world she has created and I'm looking forward to seeing more.