Better than I expected, and definitely better than [b:City of Bones|256683|City of Bones (The Mortal Instruments, #1)|Cassandra Clare|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1309277410s/256683.jpg|2267189]. The concept is more of a thought experiment than anything you can fully suspend disbelief over (essentially 5 political parties who each only have 1 plank in their platform and who segregate themselves from each other). But the characters are rounded, even some of the more minor ones. And the romantic subplots (which apparently every YA is required to have) seemed truer to life to me than any other YA I've ever read... less angst, more uncertainty. Overall, a pretty good way to while away a weekend or so.