In the author's note, Sally Gardner says she had a vision her story would be illustrated, and the illustrations are the best part about this book. David Roberts captures and conveys both the surreal and dark undertones of the story through his evocative, and sometimes morbid, drawings. As a result the writing is completely overshadowed, and the book becomes Roberts' interpretation of Anderson's fairy tale instead of Gardner's.The writing propels the plot, but whilst reading I was constantly anticipating the next illustration to help bring the story to life.

I did enjoy this book, but felt that a different format, perhaps a graphic novel, would balance out the different elements of the story equally.