It is very rare that I love a book with little to no romance and this definitely just made the list. Yarvi was thrust into a position he didn't want, nor did he think he was fit for. From there he is betrayed, sold, beaten, hunted, and changed in many ways. This was the best part of the story for me, watching Yarvi evolve and come to understand things differently. Even though in some ways his mind had to become crueler, he still kept some of his kindness and was always weighing the greater good or the lesser evil. I also enjoyed seeing how peoples' perceptions of Yarvi changed. The beat-up crew that ends up coming together with Yarvi and traveling through horrible conditions stole my heart as well. They each had a story and added a special aspect to the story. 
 Another part I really liked in the story was the action. So much fighting, but also Yarvi and his crew just trying to survive and make it one more second. Constantly swinging from extreme despair to the highest levels of hope. 
 The ending had so many twists and turns. I loved the surprises and seeing everything come together and truly seeing people for who they were. 
 This was an all around great book from start to finish. This author is new to me, but I look forward to more from this series and more from him in general.