This was a fantastic book. I can't really say enough good things about it. It's a fairy tale without actually retelling a fairy tale, at least not one that I know. It takes elements from several different ones, from the dragon and the princesses to Rapunzel (the tower) to the Baba Yaga to just about anything, really, but also with a real-feeling Russian quality, which pleases me not only because I'm fond of the country but several of the tales from the Russian section of my favorite fairy tale book growing up were my absolute favorites.

The writing is tight. I love Agniezka, who is smart, and brave, and pragmaic, but so very real. She hurts. She's tired. She gets angry. She avoids people. She makes confrontation. It's all so very real. And seeing the Dragon through her eyes is just awesome, as it makes me love him.

The romance is understated but it works for me so well, even though I couldn't guess for sure what would happen in the very end. It really worked perfectly. I have so much love for this. I can foresee rereading this many times in the future.