I debated for a while what I would rate this book. I've tried reading it before, but put it down because I grew disinterested. This time I was determined to read it all the way through because I had heard such good things about it. I really liked the last section of the book, but the first few sections still were a little hard for me to get through - mostly because I didn't like Ben's character all that much. Once she grows and determines to actually *help* her kingdom (and thus, herself) she became much more likable. And the love story, while it had a sweet ending, wasn't one that I completely bought.