Down with the patriarchy!!! At least, Young addressed this topic in a non-exaggerated manner.

Unlike other YA novels about the oppression of women, Young didn't create elaborate situations where the men in this book take advantage of these girls. She demonstrated their actions through very simple examples. I thought that made the book more enjoyable and less like an over exaggerated feminist manifesto. (Although, one could argue that the book of poems was just that!)

The characters were strong minded and the plot was well done. A lot of things come together near the end which is nice. I hope the world building is more descriptive in the next book.