That cover threw me for a loop. It is strange and from the first time I saw it I was sure the book itself would be just as yucky. It has a bit of a historical feel because of the hairstyle and the rest of it just looks messy, like it doesn't go together. I saw this book early on in the marketing process and decided the first time I saw that it that it wasn't worth my time. I was entirely wrong. The writing is superb. The story telling keeps you glued to the page and desperate to read more even if that means ignoring sleep. I loved the characters. They are very real and I cared for them from the very first page. I didn't read the first book in this series but I will be reading it now. I could see this being very popular with students.