3.5 -- not sure why there is so much polarity to reviews. It's a rather solid book. 80% of the setup may not be a new concept but the presentation and development is well read. Some barbs in language caught my eye that an editor should have caught but really that's just belly button lint. grin*

I also wrestled with the state of the world and how long 8 years is to teach. Is it too much time? Just the right amount? I flip flop back and forth that people should learn more. However if the world state is preindustrial then maybe it's the right amount of time.

Also the end wasn't a twist for anyone who knows how the grim dark genre works. Doesn't mean it wasn't a clean setup.

I'm looking forward to see how all these characters that were developed live and grow now.