Comfy meets eldritch. I’m sure this is a part of some ‘core aesthetic, nature-core? But I’m not aware of which one. Here, have a cup of tea before we fight the supernatural.

This will really appeal to those who loved Howl’s Moving Castle (movie). I generally try not to make comparisons, but I make this one lovingly. It has a similar vibe but its own uniqueness. I enjoyed the exploration of Polish folktales. The wood god was eerie and fun. The book shined with the magical house, its secrets, and the spooky woods. I also like the strained relationship between Liska and her mother, who appears hard as nails. 

There are some grotesque descriptions, especially of blood and eldritch things, but the overall tone is light. The romance was nice and muted (or not overpowering). I don’t get what appealed Leszy to Liska besides her determination. Maybe I needed to see more on his part to really believe the connection.

when, after all the events, we learn Liska had only been with Leszy for 4 months, I was flabbergasted. Closer to one year would have made me think they had time to connect and not be a mere infatuation. You’d think a semi-mortal who has lived 100s of years would take a long time to fall for someone, but maybe he falls hard despite himself.

Overall, anything introduced in the story has a purpose and is neatly resolved. Liska I felt, seemed to fluctuate at whim from shy and quiet to mouthy and headstrong. The fox nickname was cute, and I enjoyed learning more about the mystery of the house.