Written back when a teenaged, female MC actually had personality. Whether you like her or not, Vivian is a 3D character, and her life wasn't mundane until she meets her boyfriend (something that seems more and more prevalent in YA lit, which PISSES ME OFF!). Though I'm not sure it should be labeled Young Adult. Sure, Vivian is 16, but the voice is more mature than YA MCs these days. Funny, really, because you'd think it would be the other way around. 
 My biggest gripe is, what's with a girl being considered an adult in the pack and being allowed to mate when a male isn't considered an adult and able to participate in the Ordeal until 21? Doesn't make sense to me. 
 I love a story where the girl doesn't end up with the guy you think she'll end up with. It is kind of creepifying that Gabriel was into Esme (or was it just the other way around?) but then setting his sights on her 16-year-old daughter. But 24 and 16 doesn't bother me. Actually, I wished there would have been more Gabriel. 
 I think people who didn't like this didn't like it for 2 reasons: They were thinking Young Adult, and Vivian's sexuality put them off, or in their own lives, they never felt like they didn't want to be the person they were. V is trying to deny what she is, tries to make herself something she's not. It blows up in her face. Maybe some people can't identify with that. I sure as hell can.