This book started off slow. I HATE reading page after page of main characters wallowing in self-pity. It was really really hard to slog through the beginning of the book. Once things finally took off, though, it got much better. The characters developed quite a bit. The story really started picking up steam. At first I was annoyed by the multiple POVs throughout the book, but by the end I was really enjoying the other character's points of view. (Especially Manon!) 
 Seriously hoping Celaena stays away from Chaol, because I would love a series where the heroine DOESN'T end up with the original love interest. I never liked Chaol anyway. Rowan is much better. I was ready to keep going and start reading the final book immediately...until I realized that it's not out yet! Sad day!