I bought this book last year but also sort of dnfed it. Picked it up again recently and really enjoyed it. It is fun, whimsical and magical. Almost like a grown-up version of childhood fairy tales. I already have the 2nd book but I can't find the 3rd book in any store or library 😭 I don't want to request it online cuz I just know it'll be expensive

Reading this at the ripe age of 20, it's understandable that I found it too childish. The plot was very predictable and honestly the threats and stakes don't feel high or serious. Maybe they will in the next books. But overall it was a easy and fun read

Ignoring the fact that Nastenka is 17 and the narrator's entire dialogue feels manipulative, this is a good novella. So much of the narrator's words resonated with me and felt deeply personal. The lingering sadness that seems to have no explanation, the constant numbness and melancholy is what today alot of people struggle with and Fyodor described it perfectly