I have finally finished a book after several months of simply not being able to focus long enough to finish one. It felt good to return to reading, without worrying about the page count, or finishing it as quickly as possible so I could on to the next. My goal was simply to read and to finish. What I wanted from the book was to keep my attention. And it did. I know that a lot of other people had expectations of this book and some were justified and others disappointed. Having had zero expectations, I found my self rather enjoying the slow, lulling story and the magical journey that Schwab took us on.

I did like the characters, but the main focus was definitely on Addie. Luc seemed like your typical selfish immortal character and Henry a bland romantic interest. Honestly, I found some of the side characters more interesting than Henry. But I really liked Addie, her fighting spirit, her refusal to give up, her wit, etc. 

I did find that the story was incredibly whitewashed, considering in the 300 years Addie had only travels to European countries, and none of the main cast were people of color. Henry is Jewish, and demi-bi ? There was a gay and a lesbian side-characters. But that's about it. 

Overall, I did like the story, it kept me engaged, and wanting to come back to it again and again, but also I wanted to draw it out and savor it. The writing is fantastic and Schwab definitely knows how to weave and intricate beautiful plot.