A very powerful read. There were times when I hesitated to pick the book up because I was scared of how, and how strongly, it would make me feel. It made me re-think many of the well-known fairytales I thought I had analysed thoroughly, bringing the horrors of early and mid C20th history into a new and even more dreadful light. Alek is a wholly charming main protagonist. This was a 5 star read until the last few chapters which became rather too filmic. I am a harsh marker though - 4.75 if it were possible.