Maybe I've become a cranky old witch in my old age (38), but this is perhaps the most boring book I've read all year. I read and re-read, and being a teacher, I'm a fast reader. I just kept having to read the same chapter again and again because I couldn't remember a single thing that happened. The book takes an incredibly long time to build up any kind of plot. Lots of ambiance and characters, sure, but that's not enough. The ending also let it down.

Truly wanted to like it, but I leave it feeling unsatisfied.

There were elements to the plot that I liked a lot, but also quite a lot that seemed a bit rushed. Big, unusual things that require both imagination and quite close attention happen very quickly, without much time to digest them before something new comes along. Cool ideas, though.

I'm rarely very harsh about books, but I simply didn't think this was very well written. The plot was predictable and never got off the start grid, it felt like. The characters were kinda flat, and the narration got very tiring very quickly. Sorry. 🫠

I liked this until about 2/3 through, when it became quite... I wouldn't say predictable, but kinda? Like in "Signs" when it stops being scary as soon as you actually see an alien. Okay read, but Kingfisher has written better.

I liked this book most of the way through. Cool premise and settning. The characters were interesting and well thought out. Lots of little hints at family feuds and whatnot. What's not to love? But as so many horror novels do, it did the literary equivalent of jumping the shark towards the end for me. The book simply isn't long enough to handle what it attempts to do. Otherwise a fun read, though!