This book was absolutely stunning! When I first started this one I was expecting a creepy story with amazing illustrations, but nothing that would shock and amaze me that much! First of all, this is actually a fairytale retelling of "The Tinderbox", which happens to be one of my favorite childhood stories! Gardner wonderfully turns this old tale into a new story being way more creepy, yet thrilling and excited. Secondly, set in the Thirty Years War this books also has a dark atmosphere and does not keep silent on the cruelties of war, which was gruesome at times but important and added so much to the story! The story in general really is successful in turning this tale into a dark, creepy story that just forces you to read it all as fast as you can. The atmosphere is amazing, especially the brilliant illustrations add a lot to the book and make it even better. And the ending guys! It was not what I expected AT ALL and left me stunned and shocked. I was so invested in the story and loved the parallels to the original tale as well as the many new aspects Gardner added to the book. Highly recommend this one if you are up for a dark, creepy fairytale retelling with a shocking end and great illustrations!