This was actually pretty good for all the slander it has gotten.
At first, I loved it, then I was a little hesitant when the main character couldn't stop being a hoity-toity show-off, then, it was just decent. What really irked me is her two best friends. I loved them but I they held deep dark important secrets. I know, I know. The next two books are from their perspectives and will tell all, but it was frustrating none the less. The romance was sweet, the heretic plot was pretty amusing, and overall just a decent read.
I probably won't be listening to the next two books as they are the EXACT SAME story just told from the points of her best friends. This wasn't Enders Game --> Ender's Shadow material where I'd be willing to read the story from a different character's view. Sorry Richelle Mead.