This is the second in Brown's Red Rising Trilogy. I gave it five stars because this is kind of stuff that I love to read. Specifically, I love the awesome action, the epic-scale world-building, and the political intrigue all wrapped up in an under-dog story. 
 The main character has some serious flaws that he slowly, but surely, overcomes. But what he is good at, fighting and leadership, he is really good at. (view spoiler)[Like the part where Darrow duels Cassius: Darrow lets Cassius think he has the upper hand and then smashes Cassius like a boss. (hide spoiler)] 
 For me the problems the book pale in comparison to the awesomeness of the story. Ergo, the high marks.