I had read many reviews of this one on Goodreads and elsewhere and was a little apprehensive as they were all so varied; some loved it, some downright despised it. I really wanted to like and be swept up by this book so I definitely went in reading with a positive attitude. Hence, it was only destined by myself that I would enjoy it.

I found the writing wonderful. There were parts of it that didn't seem necessary and where Hallberg seemed to get carried away or lost in the moment, but they didn't define or damage the book for me overall. I really enjoyed how the characters crossed paths, how their stories developed and how they all changed over the course of the book.

I had read a few reviews who likened it to Egan's "Goon Squad" who feel that Egan did a more well-rounded and succinct job when linking characters and storyline together. However, I am one of the readers who thought opposite. What frustrated me about "Goon Squad" so much was that it was too open-ended and there wasn't enough character development for me. (Pet peeve: I highly dislike undeveloped characters or characters that disappear as quickly as they appeared!) This was entirely the opposite. I had a wonderful insight into who the characters were outside of the main storyline and got to understand their own personalities and traits. Hence I found myself being able to immerse myself into the world that Hallberg sought to create which is what failed me in Egan's award winning piece.

This bordered on 4 stars for me, but by the ending I just couldn't gift it. I think it just took me a little too long to read so I became a little disenchanted by the last 150 pages which is a little frustrating and disappointing, seeing as it was the tying together of the entire storyline and solving the mystery! Overly though, I found it extremely enjoyable and very well written.