First off, this cover is crazy cool. It got my attention in right away, and now I kind of want the art framed on my wall. If I was in a bookstore/library and saw this, I would definitely pick it up. As for the book itself... I'm absolutely hooked. The worldbuilding is realistic, a touch of the fantastical with just enough grit to ground the story. The characters introduced in the First Look are 3 dimensional and interesting- they feel very, very real. I felt Talin's longing, exhilaration, and sadness with every word. Including a mute protagonist presents some challenges from a narration perspective, but the author pulls it off so well! Talin and Corian's relationship is beatiful, and I'm intrigued by the Shield/Striker dynamic. The only disappointing thing is that I have to wait a few months to find out what happens next! Marie Lu has a new fan here.