For the first 2/3 of this nearly 600-page book, I was wondering how I'd ever get through it; then, just when it seemed like everything was wrapping up (albeit with more than 100 pages left), it exploded into action. Yes, it probably could have been tightened up, as I felt like sometimes I was re-reading things over and over (e.g. Dr. Larch's journal entries), but I'm glad I stuck with it--the writing was fun, the characters were compelling, and their stories all combined effectively to illustrate how important it is to have the freedom to choose. Would recommend.