The protagonist, Kara ("Carrot"), was relatable and vividly developed, with a strong voice that carried the story. Simon, the secondary character, stood out as essential, with his dry humor and quirky personality adding depth and levity. I found their interactions genuine, and their evolving relationship enriched the narrative. Even tertiary characters, like Kara's uncle, left an impression despite limited page time. While the characters were compelling, I felt some additional depth could have made them even more memorable.

The setting was effective in blending eerie, fantastical, and surreal elements, creating a vivid sense of place. The imagery of the otherworldly "hollow places" was chilling and immersive, and I could easily visualize the strange, horrifying environment. The atmosphere had a persistent tension, and T. Kingfisher did a great job of evoking dread while maintaining moments of dark humor. While the setting was impressive, I felt there were moments where more sensory details could have enhanced the immersion further.

I enjoyed Kingfisher’s prose, which was sharp, engaging, and easy to follow, with a conversational tone that suited the protagonist’s personality. The blend of horror and humor was well-handled, and the dialogue felt natural. However, there were moments where the narrative flow faltered slightly, and I found myself wishing for a bit more polish in certain sections. Despite this, the writing style was strong enough to make me interested in exploring more of Kingfisher’s work.

The pacing worked well for most of the story, with a compelling central mystery and reveals that were satisfying without being overly expositional. The plot felt refreshingly unique, standing out with its blend of Lovecraftian influences and personal stakes. However, there were moments where the momentum dipped slightly, and I felt the resolution could have delved deeper into the mysterious world introduced in the story. While satisfying overall, a bit more exploration of the plot’s intricacies would have elevated the experience.

I felt drawn into the story and was consistently intrigued by the world beyond the portal and the characters’ survival. The mix of horror, humor, and mystery kept me engaged, and I was eager to see what would happen next. However, there were occasional lulls in the narrative where my attention waned slightly, though these moments were brief and didn’t detract significantly from the overall intrigue.

The characters’ actions felt grounded in their motives and personalities, making their decisions believable. The world-building was clear and effective, with a sense of menace that enhanced the story’s internal logic. While some aspects of the hollow places remained ambiguous, I felt that this worked well for the otherworldly horror. The relationships, especially between Kara and Simon, felt authentic, though there were moments where additional development could have strengthened their impact.

I enjoyed the book’s mix of humor, horror, and heartfelt moments, and my engagement remained consistent throughout. T. Kingfisher’s ability to weave an unsettling narrative while keeping it accessible and entertaining impressed me. However, there were occasional points where the story didn’t fully capture my attention, which tempered my overall enjoyment slightly.