Yes, FIVE STARS. This book isn't perfect, and at times the main character may seem annoying. But I have reasons for the five-star rating.

But first: SPOILER ALERT!!!! I won't be able to stop myself, especially since I just finished the book and everything is still so fresh in my mind.

When I start a book, they automatically get 3 stars. Then I add or subtract as I go along. This info will be important.

To be honest, I ran across this book when I saw a GR list about beautiful YA covers. This really caught my eye. They say don't judge the book by its cover, but I'm glad I did this time. The cover made me look at the blurb, and that was all it took.

If you read the blurb and expect a hard core sci-fi YA story, you're in for a disappointment. The science fiction part of this book is glossed over. What this really is is a romance story. 3 stars.

This is sort of a love triangle. I hovered between docking a star and staying at 3, but I realized this was a different kind of love triangle.

Spoiler

Marguerite isn't torn between Theo and Paul. Any reader will know by the time we get to Russia that Theo doesn't even factor in. This is about Marguerite battling her feelings for Paul and all the versions of him that she meets.

. 3.5 stars.

Lieutenant Markov and the Grand Duchess Marguerite. 4.5 stars.

Marguerite's questionable ethics concerning the Marguerite and Paul in Russia. 4 stars.

Unresolved sexual tension and making me cry in real life because of non-cheesy, non-melodramatic but insanely beautiful dialogue. Not an easy feat. 5 stars.

I was going to dock 2 stars for making me go through a rollercoaster of emotions when I found out there is a sequel, but that it won't be out til November 3, 2015. I WANT IT NOW!