Another Grass Valley book club I attended; this time hosted by the local bookstore! This is my third read by this author, and I really want to read more of her. Even though this was a short, somewhat simplistic story, there was a dark fairy tale vibe to that simplicity. I love an atmospheric read, even if the plot doesn’t totally grab me. There’s just something amazing in how an author can set such a mood with just words on a page. This reprint edition includes a short story in the same universe that Schwab wrote years later, and it was maybe even better than the novel. So cool to see how an author develops their craft over time!