I'm glad I gave this book a try. Despite the typical premise/setting of the novel (the YA dystopia genre is filled with books with the same setting/plot/relationships), the author writes in a way that makes this book quite engrossing and fun to read.

I actually got all the way to about 60-70% before I stopped reading. I stopped mainly because of that damn love triangle/quadruple which I spotted the minute Elias's pov was introduced. When they started really laying groundwork for it

Spoiler

(Laia and Elias start spending more time, Laia and Keenan also start sharing scenes where they connect/understand each other, Helene getting jealous because of Laia)

I just noped my way out. I hate love triangles/quarduples/etc.

The things that kept me reading was actually the plot. The author seems to have planned the book well; there are lots of characters who are introduced who have hints of backstory peeking out through the things they say, and it made me so curious who was who. The main driving force that got me all the way through three quarters of the book was because I was so curious how the Commandment, the Cook, Keenan, and Izzi (just to name some) tie to Laia and the Rebellion and her parents.

I also really appreciated Laia's cowardice/caution. I really hate physical pain, and high-tension situations (like being in danger of getting caught). It's reassuring/validating to see a main character struggle with cowardice/caution, and the resulting self-censure.

So, a pretty decent book, despite the familiar trappings.