I'm not really sure what it was about this book, but I really enjoyed it. Fantasy romance mash-up, I guess you could call it. I think the appeal was mostly the strong female lead, an annoying but ultimately endearing male counterpart, and a good story. Actually, thinking about it now, the plot reminds me of "Pride & Prejudice," my favorite Austen novel. So not an original tale, but I really enjoyed it, nonetheless.