Darkness becomes her

I picked up this book because I won a copy of the sequel through Goodreads First Reads and I wanted to acquaint myself with the characters before I received my copy. I unfortunately had quite a bit of a hard time getting into the story, and it was only about three quarters of the way through the book that I became truly invested in the story and began to enjoy it. I could have done without some of Ari's outbursts, but I did enjoy the variety of characters/personalities, and once there was more action (aka once Athena appeared) I really wanted to know what was going to happen next. Looking forward to the sequel!

I really liked this story. One, it took a bunch of elements I have seen a million other places and put it back together into a brand new story. Loved the gothic setting. I do wonder if Keaton had me entranced because of her writing or if I loved this so much because I have been to New Orleans and recognized almost everything in the book.
Ari is not a blushing flower of a heroine. Think instead: a slightly less mad Lizbeth Salander. I gave super points for this being a first novel, and I am assuming this will be a series. So I want more character development and more exploration of supporting characters in the next book. I love the little cast of outcasts surrounding Ari. Crank, especially, could be our first-ever elementary school steampunk hero! Henri has no personality at all, and Dub needs some background, but I love them already.
The world building here is great, but I would love to know a few more things. How, for example, are supplies getting into the city if the postal truck barely gets across the bridge? Where is the food supply? I am curious because I care.
I predict this series will find fans with paranormal readers, mythological readers, alternative history readers, and dystopian readers (the feel is there).