“I WANT to like this, but I don't. I really don't like it much at all. If it wasn't for Westerfeld's fantastic writing (as in: his stories have a special beauty to them. They're imaginative and eloquent) I'd hate it. The characters aren't likable, the story is thin and doesn't reel me in - and I am growing increasingly tired and grossed out by Westerfeld's disgusting metafors. "Sounded like a buzz saw cutting though a cardboad box full of rats" and "a sound like a rat being stomped on" etc. They just make me wonder if this guy is even a little bit sane, or if he needs to be locked up asap while wearing a hugyourselfshirt. While I am all for imaginative metafors and descriptions, he goes way overboard with these.”