I read this one from advice from a friend who has an opinion I value. I will have to remember to thank them for the chance at this enjoyable read. There were a couple of different concepts in this one but not much. At around 280 pages it makes for a brisk and light read but one that will have your attention all the same. 
 I find it ironic though that I found this sitting in the romance section in Barnes and Noble when I sought it at one time (before I got my lovely Nook) and that in the end I felt that was the part of the book I felt done in a clumsy manner. It doesn't take away from the book but I really had a hard time believing the romantic angle. 
 In the end it is a fantasy novel and not a romance one as it doesn't touch upon that topic any more than any other fantasy novel and was definitely in the wrong section. I will continue on to finish the series as I have to admit that one of the strong points was a female lead finally done in a proper fashion. Oh don't get me wrong. It could have been done even better but lately I have read female characters portrayed from one end of the spectrum to another with no middle ground. Snyder made Yelena believable but still room for improvement exists.