The protagonist, Mouse, was relatable and had a distinct voice that balanced humor and vulnerability. Secondary characters like Foxy and the dog Bongo stood out and added to the story, but I felt that some of the other secondary characters were underdeveloped, serving more as functional elements than fully realized individuals. While I could describe the main characters to a friend, a few lacked the depth I was hoping for.

The atmosphere was eerie and immersive, with the rural woods setting effectively conveying isolation and dread. The descriptions of the supernatural were grotesque and memorable, creating an unsettling vibe that lingered throughout the book. However, while the imagery was vivid, I sometimes felt it overwhelmed the narrative, making it harder to stay immersed.

Kingfisher's writing was engaging, with a conversational tone that made the book easy to read. The balance between humor and horror was well-executed, and the descriptions had a haunting beauty. That said, while I enjoyed the prose, it didn’t always feel effortless, and I occasionally found the humor clashing with the darker moments. I would still be interested in reading more from this author in a different genre.

The pacing was generally solid, with an intriguing start and satisfying reveals. I appreciated the unique blend of cosmic horror and folklore, which kept the story fresh. However, some parts in the middle dragged and felt repetitive, which dulled the tension. The ending left several questions unanswered, which frustrated me as I felt more clarity was needed to bring the story full circle.

I was curious to see where the story would go and wanted to uncover its mysteries, but the slower sections made it harder to maintain that interest at times. While the mix of horror and folklore held my attention overall, I wasn’t always compelled to pick it up over other activities.

The characters’ actions made sense within the context of their personalities, and the world-building was intriguing, particularly the supernatural aspects. However, I found some of the rules of the world too ambiguous, and I felt that certain relationships lacked the depth needed to enhance the story’s emotional stakes. The supernatural rules felt inconsistent, which sometimes pulled me out of the narrative.

Overall, I enjoyed the book, particularly its mix of horror and humor, which felt unique and refreshing. However, the slower pacing, unanswered questions, and occasional tonal clashes tempered my enjoyment. While I appreciated much of what it offered, my experience wasn’t consistently engaging.