I LOVED this story. I loved the tough decisions and the fact that it managed to be both pretty and ugly at the same time. I'm excited to read the next two books. However, I don't know if the sequels can really live up to this first book. 
 Recommend: Yes! 
 Why?: If you like dystopia novels, young adult novels, or tragic stories, then you'll like this one. The teenage characters aren't boring, stereotype personalities of teens. They are complex characters that function somehow despite all the tragedy they've experienced (and continue to experience) in their lives.