This intriguing novel is something I have continued to process long after I finished the last page. The world in which it is set is beautifully and masterfully developed by Collins. She clearly articulates a unique world full of a vast array of surprises and interesting details on every level. I am pleased to say the book has a very slow pace. Typically, that would frustrate me, but with the diversity of characters you encounter as well as the fact that the plot takes time to unfold properly, I see it as a strength to move at a slower pace in terms of how you "learn" the story. This book is unique and unlike anything, I have read. It would be next to impossible to compare it to other stories as it clearly stands alone in what it is able to encompass. If you like well-developed characters and a fully engaging plot, this one is not to be missed!