Good writing, interesting premise. I'm so lukewarm about this book, and the series in general, not due to a fault in the story or the author's writing. Hawkins NAILED teenage behavior, angst, emotions, and decision-making skills SO WELL in this book and series. And I guess that's why I was so annoyed. Is there some really important thing to be done that all of your kind depends on? Oh well. Better run off after my upset boyfriend. Etc. I can't be mad at the author though, that is EXACTLY how a teenager's priorities work. The jargon, and rhythm of the book were all spot on. I simply enjoy more mature characters in order to be able to enjoy a book. I'm so over teenage angst. 
 SPOILER ALERT!!!!!!! DO NOT READ AHEAD IF YOU HAVEN'T FINISHED THE BOOK, I'M SERIOUS. 
 The one (okay, the one of two) thing that really ticked me off was Cal's (sp? I listened on audio) death. I was SO MAD that he died in the end. It made is SUPER easy for Sophie to pick which boyfriend she wanted. And I was so mad she liked Archer over Cal. Archer is NOTHING compared to Cal. Cal deserved a lot more as a character beyond pining after a girl who didn't deserve him and then neatly dying in the end to get himself and all of her guilt out of the way of her relationship with lame-o Archer. That was the one thing that made me really angry... I pondered giving the book two stars for that. 
 Secondly: Sohpie becoming the head of the Council. STUPID!!! That was also lame in my opinion, and completely unrealistic. I know Sophie's dad doesn't have powers anymore, but he is still totally qualified to be HOC. Totally qualified. Sophie was a poor choice. Yes, she did a lot, but in desperate circumstances, and she was usually motivated to do those things because the lives of her loved ones were in peril. Handling day-to-day prodigium matters isn't going to be her deal. TEENAGE-BRAIN. Come on!!! 
 All in all, this is a series I would recommend for YOUNG teenagers... the kind that think the way that the characters do, and don't mind a shallow boyfriend and nice guys coming in last. I would not recommend this read to any adult readers of YA, or even older teens. A good story, a good premise, and good writing. 3 stars for the series overall.