Before I began reading, I had heard the reviews, and I decided that I wanted to love this book. This may have been a hindrance in the end, but, the good news is that I wasn't entirely disappointed. 
 As it began, I did a little mental sigh. It certainly wasn't an original story, and it seemed almost childish. My hopes of loving this book were being dashed on the rocks. But I kept reading, and I am so glad that I did! 
 The story grows and matures, along with the characters, and though it can never become unique, it is a well-known story beautifully told. I found that even though it was destined to be predictable, my eyes were skimming over the words as quickly as possible to read it all the faster; I needed to know how it would end. 
 It is, of course, only the first in a series, and I will, without a doubt, be clawing to get my hands on the next book as soon as it hits the shelves.