This book is probably the darkest book of all the VC books, even more so than the Dollanganger series. Audrina's character is developed in a very confusing way, so it's a little frustrating when you try to make sense of the book, yet it kept me hooked until the very end. I like how the book takes place in a gothic setting where time seemingly has stopped. It has a great plot and keeps you wondering up until the end of the book. I took off one star because I didn't really like Arden towards the end of the book. He developed into a weak, incompetent guy who was nowhere near good enough for Audrina. And I absolutely HATED the ending of this book!! It was a major disappointment for me. It left me feeling INCREDIBLY sorry for Audrina. Poor girl...after suffering so much...and this is all she ends up with...