This is an express review. 
 This book is one of those where magic just flows out of the pages. The characters, too. The characters, each of them, feel (or read) unbelievably real. Oh, and they are very funny, at least for me. 
 I must confess I haven't read other series of Stiefvater, but I'm glad I gave this one a chance. I was reluctant because of the premise, but the kiss/kill-your-true-love thing, is not as heavily handed over as the synopsis makes you think. It's well handled, it's realistic, it's... it's wonderful. Everything in this book is wonderful. It's like out of a dream. The adventures these kids have are the kind I would like to have. 
 The writing style is different from anything I've ever read. It feels strange first, confusing even, but this confusion only lasts a couple of chapters until you get used to it. Then it's wonderful; it fits perfectly with the story. Now I can't imagine the book being written in any other "normal" way. 
 The world-building is well-thought, it's intricate and beautiful, and at the same time, the whole place (Henrietta) gives me chills sometimes. There's always this atmosphere of creepiness. 
 The plot in this particular book is simple compared to the rest of the books. As the series progresses, the plots get thicker, the world-building more complicated (in a good way), new interesting, layered characters are shown as well as new facets of the original characters, but this is a great start for a story. 
 As a last thing I would like to mention this series in general has some GOOD plot twists and surprises. This is one of those books you have to read because the premise doesn't do justice to the book. You won't understand why is so good until you read it. So... GO. READ. THIS. SERIES.