This second half of the story takes far too long to arrive at its destination, and while I love a good ramble, this is not so much a good one as a bit of repetitive pointless one for much of the doughy middle— but it delivers in the end. If you can endure the thick sticky plod of a large portion of the middle narrative, it is worth the trudge for the last third. (I believe this was an issue with a lack of willingness to streamline the story in the editing stages—or possibly the lack of an adept editor.) 

 

The story, the characters, and this world worked together mischievously to build an insular absorbing dark cave of strange fantasy you’ve never before encountered. 

 

I enjoyed Lacelle’s writing, and I will be looking for more of her creative worlds in future.