This was just, perfection. I don't know how to explain it or talk about it, but I love it.

All right, I had time to discuss this with book group and decided something. This book was okay as written. It got it's point across etc.

BUT.

What would have taken this and made it a really influential, impactful, talked about book would be if it had been made so that each "jump" is it's own novella (think Wayward Children size book) with alternating chapters from Ash and the Edward from that world.

The book as written needs more depth. Ash feels awfully generic and there was just...there is SO much that could have been discussed in this book that just...didn't.

This hits *hard* reading as an adult. Beautifully written and illustrated. My kids will be reading this soon, too.

This was...so very not for me. The writing was off-putting, the story felt weirdly detailed in places and totally lacking in others, the characters rubbed me wrong from the get-go. I really should have DNF'ed. This is the second Novik book I've read and the second, "Nope, no thanks." So I guess I'll be passing on her other books of hers. The concept had so much promise. Sigh.