I was certain that this book was getting a 3 by the time I was 20% through, so the fact that it pulled out a 3.5 is a significant improvement.
The good: I love the idea of this world, and the mysteries it laid out weren't immediately easy to solve. I do think I will try the second one whenever it comes out, though it didn't feel like this one left a ton of mysteries to solve.
the bad: First, I cannot remember the last time I read this much exposition in such a concentrated form as the first 20% of this book. Second, our FMC has classic FMC syndrome.  she's different from other girls, she doesn't follow the rules, she's spunky. I still don't like her, even admitting I'll read a second book.  Third, the romance was meh at best, and unbelievable at worst.  As far as I can tell she just threw herself at the nearest available hot man and one time he was into it, kind of. Give me some yearning, guys.