I saw a review already on here that compared this book, correctly, to Eat Pray Love. My issues with this book are numerous. Some of them are simple issues I have with the questionable way she reveals knowledge from a mystery religion (which, honestly, who the fuck thinks that's ok?) and the way in which she seems to be perfectly content with exploiting real believers for the sake of her writing. Maybe that's all petty and perhaps I'm completely misreading Ms Mar's work. However, I also just think, at it's core, this is a poorly written work. She jumps back and forth between time lines and between parts of her own story and the story of witchcraft as a whole. Pieces don't fit together as well as they could and that's a shame because there is a wealth of information on the subjects that she's talking on. I had a lot of high hopes for this book but honestly this isn't what I wanted or expected.

A truly amazing work of speculative fiction. Beautifully written and expertly told, Valente does a unique retelling of a fairytale. In a market packed full of retellings this is by far the best adult version I've read. Not only is her story unique it also follows traditional folklore and mythology in a way that at times is obvious and at others more subtle. Valente is a master craftsman and this is the fruit of her glorious labor. I'm seriously head over feet for this book!

David Mitchell is one of those authors whose books I find inescapable. They are difficult to put down and invade your senses until you dream the book every night you're reading it. Slade House is no exception. Mitchell crafts a beauty supernatural horror novel that, while not long, leaves an impression.