3.5 stars fits much better with how I feel about this book. There were some aspects of it that were wonderful, and others that were much less so. I'll definitely read on - no matter how averse I may be to the main character (in the next book), but this didn't Wow me as much as I was expecting. I'm going to try a bullet-point review because I just don't know how else to do this without going completely spoilery, or getting derailed by tangents. 
 Things Marchetta does Well: 
 1. Emotions. Good lord, the emotions that she pulled out of me in this book. Especially in regards to Trevanion and Beatriss' romance. Throughout the book she made me feel the despair, the hope, the worry, the anger, and the love. Every moment of it was real and filled with feeling. 
 2. Characters. Evanjalin, Finnikin, Trevanion, Sir Topher...all of them are fascinatingly real. They make mistakes, they have fears, and hopes, they try and keep pushing. Even when I wanted to shake some of them (okay, nearly all of them at some point or another), I still felt connected to them on a very visceral level. Except...(Very real spoiler) (view spoiler)[for Froi, who tries to rape Evanjalin. He doesn't succeed, but I'm having a very hard time figuring out how I'm going to feel reading an entire book from his POV. On the one hand I kind of want to see how Marchetta tries to pull this off, but on the other I don't think I can ever forgive and root for a character like that - regardless of his (lack of) upbringing. (hide spoiler)]ETA: I asked in a status update if Finnikin was really this thick....Answer: Yes. Yes, he is. 
 3. Interactions. Everything that happens between characters feel so utterly real. And this ties into the last point, but it's amazing to me that looking back I still feel so invested in these characters and their relationships with each other. 
 Things Marchetta does Okay: 
 4. So, the fantasy aspect of this is lacking for me. The "magic" is of the plot-device variety. It's there to do what it has to do, but never really feels like a vivid part of the world. Or most of it doesn't. The dream-walking was well integrated and interesting. I enjoyed that. But the curse? Meh. It was just there as a catalyst, quickly and (a bit too) easily removed in the end. 
 Things Marchetta Fumbles: 
 5. Plot. The entire plot rests on the premise of secrets and lies. One secret after another. And while it kept me turning pages, I was kind of irritated in the end that there were lies peppered in there as well. I was irritated that the truth just wasn't good enough. If a person can't make the right choice with the truth, then should their choice with a lie be trusted? 
 In the end, I enjoyed the story, but I have a few problems when looking back. But, first and foremost, I'm a character reader, and Marchetta does excel in all aspects of that. They're not cardboard cutouts, they're real, with all the positives and negatives that we, ourselves, hold within us. And that's something I can relate to and love. 
 I almost want to do a whole other section with spoiler thoughts, but I think I'll refrain for now. 
 Buddy read planned for December with Robin, Sarah, Danae, Drea and more! 
 Must move this up my TBR: Rec'd now by Brandi, Brigid (evil owl master), and Julie Covington, and Michelle {Book Hangovers}, Kristen, and Robin!! 
 O_O