First of all, I totally didn't see the twist coming until right before it happened. So either Cynthia Hand did an excellent job foreshadowing or I'm just really slow. 
 Clara's character was developed pretty well, but there times when she did or said something that felt out of character to me. I didn't like her friend Angela at all. I just have a bad feeling about her. I was surprised that she didn't end up doing something bad or wrong by the end of the book. But who knows, maybe that's coming in the next book? I loved her other friend Wendy. Loved her! She was funny, but a good enough friend to tell Clara like it is. Plus she gave Clara the best birthday present ever! 
 At times the story moved slowly, I wished there was a little more action. I also wish her mom was a little more forthcoming with information. It almost felt like she wanted Clara to fail. 
 I liked the book, but it didn't blow me away. It's hard sometimes when you know that a book is part of a trilogy because you are always left with so many questions. And this book definitely leaves you with questions.