2nd read: This novella is so good with exposition. I'm so impressed by how carefully it establishes every element a little bit before you need to know about it.

1st read: I love this book and want it to find its people. It's so strongly written.
It's an urban fantasy based on Slavic folklore, about a human on a quest and the cursed people he gets help from. It's reflective, and takes time to breathe and explore emotional baggage between action sequences.

The magic system is very soft, and goes where the plot needs it to. It's used as a way to set up the conflicts, but isn't really explored. What is explored is themes of family cultures being passed down, guilt and redemption, and judgment.

I loved the audiobook. It's got multiple narrators, and they're all wonderful.

Thanks to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for a copy of this book to review. All opinions are my own.