Set in an alternate 1940's America where war is now illegal and harmony rules. Every would be war/battle is decided by Peacfighters, pilots who duke it out in an aerial fight. The premise alone drew me in, its so unique. Nevermind the concept of a tyrannical dictator who decides your fate based on your horoscope. John Gunnison is the leader of the central states determined to expand his country and rid it of discordants. 
 Amity Vancour is a Peacfighter from the Western Seaboard, just like her dad was and possibly one of the best. Though she soon realises that its not always a Peacefighters skill that determines the outcome of a battle but instead bribery. Something she struggles to come to terms with. Something else she has to cope with is the sudden reappearance of her childhood best friend Collie, who now is also a Peacefighter. 
 I was thrilled with the fact that Amity didn't go running into Collie's arms straight away. She was sceptical and I would be too. Your best friend suddenly reappears after virtually disappearing. But I love how their relationship began again, it was so heartwarming and there is nothing better than a bit of swoon worthy romance and we got to see a little of their time together as children. 
 Seeing Gunnison through another characters eyes was such a great way to show what he was like. How heartless and fickle he was. We see him through Kay's eyes, an astrologer in the central states who ends up right in the middle of his cabinet fighting to stay on his good side, which isn't an easy thing to do. I'm still undecided if I like Kay's character or not. I feel sorry for her but there's something I can't put my finger on. 
 Initially, the plot moved fairly slowly but I didn't mind because we got a lot of back story on Amity, Kay and Collie which I very much enjoyed. The latter half of the novel definitely picked up and the aerial fights were some of my favourite scenes. 
 The only issue with the novel I really had was the plane and pilot terminology. Some of the words I had to look up but thats all. 
 I can't wait to read the second novel after the heartbreaking end of the first.