** spoiler alert ** 
 This book as a lot of beauty in it. 
 Beautiful characters - not just physically, like Akiva, but also their personalities. Karou, Akiva, Madrigal, Zuzana, Brimstone, etc... All of them are well written characters who draw you into their story. 
 Beautiful settings. The descriptions of both Prague and Eretz fill the mind with stunning images of these two very different worlds. 
 A beautiful story. Karou's journey as she struggles against her world falling apart, Akiva's journey as he comes to realize who Karou is and what that means for the war the Seraph and the Chimera have been fighting for generations. And Madrigal's story, as we learn the truth that has drawn these two people together. 
 I wanted to love this book. I adored it from the start because, as I said, it is beautiful. But halfway through the book, the plot comes to a grinding halt for the sake of Akiva and Karou's learning about each other. It felt strange that Karou was so willing to put her plans on hold, even with Madrigal's memories starting to resurface, for the sake of this stranger who had once tried to kill her. 
 And then the flash back. Madrigal's story. I love the interweaving of Madrigal's story with Karou assimilating this part of herself back into her life. But after the previous stall of the plot, it was rather much to have this extended flashback. I felt like it was another book entirely - Karou and Madrigal coming together as one. 
 Overall, I did enjoy this book. It has an interesting plot and a well crafted world that draws you in. I just wish I could have loved it.