First, I need to give props for Rutkoski for being creative! Because I was thinking about her [book:The Winner's Curse|16069030] trilogy, which is one of the best things ever, and I was thinking about this great book, and the fact that the same author is able to write such different types of stories, and still have them both be good, is impressive. Not all authors can demonstrate differentiation between their different books!

Anywho, I really enjoyed this. I loved the beginning, those pre-knowing what the book is about chapters, in which everything was mostly normal. (Reminds me of the beginning of [book:Daughter of Smoke & Bone|8490112], when things were just being calmly set-up, and there's something I love about that.)

Now, one might say that Darcy and Conn's (I loved his name, by the way. Connor McCrea. Has a ring to it.) relationship was insta-love, but I disagree. Yeah, so she couldn't stop thinking about him pretty early on, but excuse me. If a strange, good-looking new guy eyed you directly and looked angry, you'd probably not be able to stop thinking about it. I found that aspect pretty realistic! And then, of course,

Spoiler

Conn basically arrested Darcy and was her enemy for a while, so the romance was pretty slow-burn after that, and I liked it.

The whole world was very interesting. Loved the alternate-reality aspect, centered around the Chicago Fire. Darcy as a character was very likable, as was her group of friends. Actually, they were awesome. And I loved that Taylor Allen, the popular pretty bitchy girl, hilariously broke her mold.

Spoiler

When Darcy, in the Shadowland universe, or whatever it was called, saw Taylor Allen flirting with a guard, and she was lie "umm, what the fuck is Taylor Allen doing here?" That was good stuff. And finding out that her crew had been living in that world in an effort to find her was the best!

That guy, I feel like his name was Demetri, was the worst. (I looked it up, it was Orion, actually.) That needs to be established.

Shout-out to Darcy's foster mom, Marsha. An absolute delight.

I adored the whole "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock" thing. The project, and the way things kept getting tied back to the poem was quite creative.

What else? Oh, one small detail I loved was that the alternate Chicago universe, somehow, had another Jane Austen book. As in, in that other world, she had written another book. Darcy read and loved it (and it was one of Conn's favorite. An Austen-reading man, yes please.), and that whole concept was just wonderful!

I think that's it for now. Basically, a really readable book with a creative world and likable characters and a fast-paced plot. Is there supposed to be a sequel, I'm wondering?

Marie Rutkoski, keep up the fantastic work.