I'm not quite sure what to make of this book. The art is gorgeous; it's what drew me to this book in the first place. The soft lines that look like colored pencil, the very understated color and use only of brown/purple, just simply gorgeous. The characters have a solidity of gesture, and a lot is conveyed in their subtle expressions.

However, it felt like a weird allegory and Eartha as a character read a lot like Forest Gump: lovable simpleton. I'm uncozy with the portrayal, and can't quite put my finger on it. Whatever that feeling is was underscored by the contrast between Primus's brutality and Eartha's innocence, and manner in which he call her "she-bumpkin." I am uncozy with the kind of judgements that seem to be passed on a society that pays these inflated rates to brutes for biscuits so that they can be flagrantly consumed and their messages mourned. The picture feels too simple. Too like an easy target.

The narration intrudes throughout, giving background information, but it felt just that: intrusive instead of vital. Much more was said in the interactions between characters.

That said, Malkasian intrigues me, and I want to see what else she has done.