Just found out it was published in 2012, I would have thought it was published not that long ago with how many people on social media today are talking about it. (Probably helps that the show is just around the corner and by the time this post comes out, the show will already be out. I do plan on watching it!) Off the bat, I am not seeing the hype for this book. It felt very flat to me and a bit predictable with the whole stag necklace where I figured the Darkling was going to get it. (That was almost a no brainer.) I was not seeing the hype for any of the characters either. None of them stood out to me in any special way. The relationships between Alina and any of the other characters just did not seem to click with me. I found Alina to be a decent character but I never felt strong emotions with her. Maybe that will change in the later books but so far this book was not it for me and it still feelings like it is missing something. (Still curious about the show though...)