If you dislike the "I'm not like other girls" trope, you will get extremely frustrated with Lila. I don't think she is written (especially in the first book and this book) to be all that likable and you are supposed to be annoyed, but the whole "I'm special because I don't like pretty dresses and I like knives and getting dirty" is so strong and present, it feels like Schwab is beating readers over the head with a club. Other than that, I do really enjoy the story. I love a good tournament plot, especially one that involves magic.