I was surprised to find myself enjoying this as much as I did, if only because the previous two books I'd read by this author had been just fine for me. I think it worked to the author's strengths that this was shorter, featuring fun fantasy hijinks in an established world rather than a high stakes plot slowed down by dense world building. I also liked that the more heartfelt and serious moments didn't feel out of place with the overall lighthearted tone of the story.