This is a reread for me and I see why the general advice for anyone starting the Throne of Glass series is to "just push through". The plot is a good setup and interesting enough, the characters are a bit silly but I didn't hate them, and the little love triangle felt a bit immature for who these people are supposed to be. BUT. It's still a fun story with really good ideas and I enjoyed it. With the complete series ahead, it's easy to see where this is going and I can appreciate the groundwork. Would I like it as much if I was reading it without the rest of the series? Possibly not. It might be too YA for me if I didn't already know that there's something epic up ahead.... but what-ifs are neither here nor there and are certainly no good foe book reviews so this one sits solidly at a fine 3 stars. Can't wait to keep on with the rest of them. Get over here, book #2!