This won't go down as one of the most amazing things I've ever read, but it's a notch above a lot of the young adult fare out there. Inventive world-building, interesting characters, and a really fast read. The middle of the novel sags when Alina, for some bizarre reason (as she'd seemed much more sensible before then), is suddenly really caught up in petty court hierarchy shenanigans. The pace picks up again when she leaves the court to go traipsing in the wilds. I'd most likely return for the second novel. 
 Edit: Had to edit to mention that this is a 3.5 star review. I really like the world-building, but I also think the plot and pacing needed work.