An absolutely genius, whimsical, inspiring, chilling, delightful book!!! It is so rare to find a stand-alone anymore, and this one delivered a sweeping epic tightly and emotionally. The author is a master wordsmith! This book is equal parts Alice in Wonderland, Lemony Snicket, The Phantom of the Opera, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, The Golden Compass, and every fairytale about the wee folk from underhill - but I do not mean that this book is derivative, FAR FROM! This book is unique, GLORIOUSLY, REFRESHINGLY, unique! It's a "fairytale" that is human, if that makes any sense. The fair folk don't recognize themselves as fae, that's a human turn of phrase; these are PEOPLE, their magic a closely coveted science, their long lives obtained with rare potions and decadent foods, their scheming courts a real danger to all trapped in its web. They are a people who - through hubris and greed - have evolved a disassociation between their souls/feelings and themselves, and it is up to one, naive, honest, brave, friendly little girl to remind these people how to think and feel and /live/ in totality, not repressed or amputated. SOOOO many amazing messages about classicism, coming of age, and coming of age with privilege. It's relevant and remarkable. Read. This. Book!!!