I'm not sure why, but this feels like a return to form, though I've enjoyed all his previous books. But this is pure fantasy/horror, with Smith's trademark rich writing and wonderful turn of phrase and ability to evoke place and character and atmosphere. It's dark and strange and funny, and I suppose part of what makes it superior to his other more recent books is that they often suffered from the choice to spend most of their length establishing their premise, as their protagonist tries to work out what's going on, whereas this lets you and the characters have a solid idea of what's going on before you get a quarter of the way in, while still retaining a sense of mystery. The youthful voice of the main protagonist gives it the feel of a YA, actually, and it mostly works as one and it seems to suit Smith quite well. An unfeasible book in lots of ways, but not a mundane one.