Shadow and Bone

I love this! It is a good story without too much extra twists just because. Alina is struggling to see who she really is and that is used against her by a villian. She doesn't get an ultimate victory, but she survives for now. I like the straightforward battle. It isn't there just to tug at our heart strings. It is necessary to get to step two in order to save Ravka. There is one covenient coincidence, but it is done well and therefore didn't bother me in the slightest.
The legends and magic are doing battle with governments and technonlogy. One side of the magic is doing battle for the good of the world and one isn't. That is a pretty classic set up. The Eastern touches bring an oddness that is welcome to introduce us to this world.
I can't wait to see what is next.