I picked this book up at the library for a few reasons. The first being the cover. I find it rather exquisite and upon reading the story the cover very well represents the content (combining the eyes, the bright blue color, the feathers, the mask, all of which have meaning in the story); I very much like when books have meaningful covers that relate to what's inside. It to me, shows that they are not deceiving the reader. I was also stoked because I read the author's bio in the back of the book and saw that she's from Portland, Oregon (my dream location). I rather enjoyed that (plus, I love her pink hair). Then I read the dust jacket. I must say that I think the marketing, book cover wise, was very well done. The writing on the inside of the dust jacket was enough to make me want to read it without being as revealing as many dust jackets typically are. Lastly, I picked it up because it is a national book award finalist. 
 So, as soon as my school assignments were tackled, I dove into this book. I found it rather easy to dive into. Laini has a rather unique writing style, particularly the first half or more of the book. Her character names alone were enthralling. Karou, Brimestone, Kaz, Madrigal, Chiro, Thiago, Akiva and on. Great names! I do believe that names can really help to make a story. 
 Karou's dialogue, especially with her friends at school, was really unique. It was quirky, fun and yet intelligent. I loved reading her dialogue. Heck I was enjoying the beginning of this book so much that my stomach was grumbling from hunger, and I'm a cranky person when I don't eat. Yet I kept on reading. 
 I also really enjoyed Karou's relationship with Brimstone and that side of the world that she lived. I loved how the author introduced me to chimaera and revolved this story around a war between demons and fallen angels. 
 It was when Akiva's character was introduced that I was first caught off guard but, more importantly, it was when the book was losing my attention. There was much meaning in relationships in the first part of the book, between Kaz, Brimstone, Zuzana and Karou. Introducing Akiva and linking the attraction to primarily, and dare I say only looks, disappointed me. When the book dove into the story of Madrigal I really began to feel separated from it. The dialogue, the storytelling was so much stronger pre-Madrigal and even partly pre-Akiva. 
 I also had some trouble with the ending. It felt disconnected with it and I didn't care for the leaving us hanging in a rather blunt way. I was also disappointed in the lack of solid action, especially at being a story revolving around a war between demons and angels. 
 Yet all in all I think Laini is a really great writer. She had me hooked in the beginning, hooked to the dialogue and characters. It was merely the introduction of specific characters, later on, and the fading of the dialogue and meaning in connection that my interest began to dim. Hence why I went with three stars.