If I may judge a book by its "cover," I must say this book is beautiful. The cover captured my attention but it was really the inside that caught my eye once I picked it up. I love the font style, chapter headings, and page markings. Those seemingly minor things always impress me. In a world where the life of physical books is being threatened, I am especially appreciative of design details and the like! 
 I was almost lost on the first page or so of the novel where the ranks of Grisha are listed. (Grisha are the elite part of the population with magical powers/talents). I was never a fan of "sci fi/fantasy" fiction, though I'm not TOO sure if this falls in the category. I think so. Recently, I feel as though there has been a sort of crossover phenom in the same way in which we talk of YA crossover titles. A more tangible sci/fi fantasy for the masses. (A lot of times -and in this case particularly- these two types of crossover mix.) I'm finally starting to bypass my previous hesitation I had when I opened a book and saw unfamiliar names of worlds and people, like Ravka and Fjerdans, Corporalki and Heartrenders. Maybe I was previously too much of a literal person to have such an imagination of new worlds and be able to hold on to it for the duration of a story. Anyway, I'm glad I'm getting over it. My point is that this is a story that can be enjoyed by all if you give it a chance. 
 I was captivated by the characters and world that Bardugo created. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that the author also dabbles in photography and makeup artistry. She has a very artistic eye and her attention to detail is rendered well throughout the story - particularly in her descriptions of character's beauty, dress, and the setting. The emphasis on dark and light is a main focus of the story (you'll see what I mean when you read) but I particularly found the stark contrast of the blackness of the Shadow Fold to the whiteness of the snow-ladden forests of the North quite pleasing to the imagination! I am interested to see where this series goes... 
 Also, is it weird I feel like I have the hots for the Darkling? ::sigh:: Bad Boys. 
 And then I found this: 
 http://jennrush.blogspot.com/2012/04/... 
 eeekk!!!