YASSSSSS. This book succeeds in every way: two very sympathetic, very complex and very kickass protagonists; SMOLDERY ENCOUNTERS WHILST DANCING; a Brienne of Tarth-esque warrior lady; a Charlize Theron in Snow White-esque murdery villain; the ancient Roman-adjacent version of the bald dudes from Fringe, wandering around and knowing everything about what's going to happen in the future; secret hidden tunnels; numerous battles-to-the-death; and did I mention SMOLDER. 
 Such great fun. 
 BUT THEN 
 I was about 90% done and thinking, "wait, how can they possibly wrap up all these plotlines in the next 10% of book" when I had the sudden horrific feeling of THIS IS ENDING ON A CLIFFHANGER Y'ALL. And a quick snoop around Goodreads revealed, indeed, there's a sequel coming out in 2016. 
 So it wraps up SOME of the plotlines but NOT ALL which I HADN'T EXPECTED because I thought that series and trilogies were now passe. But it's a good thing, actually, because the existence of a sequel means I get to spend MORE TIME WITH LAIA AND ELIAS so it's all good. 
 Super recommend!!