lots of fun and splendidly written. prose to seek to emulate. 

my major complaint is that though this book is character driven (which i love. i'm a character driven reader first and foremost) the characters aren’t nearly as developed as you would expect them to be. or at least not to my liking.

Magdalena

never progresses past her political savy and bouts of depression.

Alexi

is never more than a young boy.

the unnamed You

is yes, cruel, abusive, charismatic. but i didn't fall in love with him in a way that would be expected in a novel of this nature, gutted to be betrayed by his cruelty. it results in the feeling of being held at arms length, not quite the whole picture but not the minute details either.

there are moments of reprieve where we do see bits of their daily lives beyond just summary of it. i just wish they weren't as scarce. 

this really had every potential to be a five star for me but chipped its way down to four. still a delightfully fun time i will admit, and exquisitely written as i mentioned. it gives me such an urge to write and thats one of the highest compliments i can give it.