Having read this book, I can see the Gossip Girl influences. I've not read the Gossip Girl books but all that aside this book was pretty good all in all. I had a feeling who was going to die, all because I sort of cheated and read the synopsis of book 2. I see why some same sex people may be irritated by the partiticular decision, but sometimes I think people are too judgemental.
The story in this book went along at a pretty good pace, and I did like the characters. The final showdown was worth waiting for, and I'm pretty excited to read book 2.